Manie Libbok has always been one of the Springboks’ most exciting talents.
Whether he’s setting up line breaks or threading passes like a magician, the flyhalf oozes natural flair.
But even players with raw talent have things to work on—and for Libbok, that’s been his goal-kicking.
Over the past few seasons, especially during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, his accuracy off the tee has come under scrutiny.
Despite his genius with ball-in-hand, those missed kicks in high-stakes games drew criticism—and rightly so.
Putting in the Extra Work
Instead of brushing it off, Libbok took the feedback seriously.
The Springbok management even stepped in, temporarily relieving him of kicking duties at times while he regrouped.
But now, it looks like he’s taken things into his own hands and gone back to the basics.
“This has been a big focus for me,” Libbok shared during a media briefing on Wednesday.
“It’s something I’ve been working hard at, day in and day out.
I had a really solid week practicing kicks at poles, and now I’m just trying to build on that momentum.”
A Perfect Game Against the Barbarians
His hard work is already paying off. In the recent clash against the Barbarians, Libbok landed all five of his kicks—a flawless 5-out-of-5 performance.
That kind of precision is what he’s hoping to carry into more pressure-filled Tests.
“I’m really pleased with how it went in that match,” he said.
“Now it’s about keeping that form going.
The next challenge is this weekend’s Test, and I’m aiming to deliver again.”
Saturday’s Test: Boks vs Italy
South Africa will take on Italy this Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 17:10.
You can catch the action live on SuperSport and SABC.
Historically, the Springboks have dominated this fixture.
Out of 17 meetings, South Africa has come out on top 16 times.
The only blemish? A narrow 20–18 defeat in Florence back in 2016.
Here’s a quick glance at their head-to-head record:
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Played: 17
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Won: 16
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Lost: 1
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Points Scored: 806
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Points Conceded: 219
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Tries Scored: 108
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Tries Conceded: 19
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Biggest Win: 101–0
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Win Percentage: 94%
Milestones to Watch This Weekend
This weekend’s match isn’t just another Test—it’s full of personal achievements and historic moments for several Springbok players:
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Willie le Roux will join the 100-cap club, becoming only the eighth Springbok to reach this incredible milestone. Fittingly, he made his debut against Italy in 2013 and will celebrate his century against them again, 12 years later.
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Makazole Mapimpi is closing in on 50 Tests. Saturday will mark his 47th appearance, and just three more caps will see him reach that prestigious half-century.
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Manie Libbok, currently sitting at 98 Test points, needs just two more to hit the 100 mark in the green and gold jersey.
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The Wiese brothers, Cobus and Jasper, will become the 37th sibling pair to represent the Springboks at Test level.
Experience Runs Deep in the Squad
Looking at the Springbok line-up, it’s clear this team has experience to burn:
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Total starting caps: 493
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Backline caps: 213
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Forwards caps: 280
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Bench caps: 98
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Average caps per player: 30 (backs), 35 (forwards), 12 (bench)
That mix of seasoned veterans and hungry players chasing milestones makes for a compelling team setup.
What’s Your Prediction?
With Libbok aiming to silence critics, le Roux reaching a century, and a powerful line-up ready to fire, all eyes will be on the Boks this Saturday.
Do you think Italy can repeat their 2016 upset—or will South Africa flex their dominance once more?
