Bok coaches deny any bias against Libbok's international credentials: 'Anything can happen'

Springbok team management have countered a widely-held perception that they don't believe Manie Libbok is a suitable candidate to play flyhalf for the national team.

The compact Stormers pivot - who's actually quite tall at 1.84m - has been in superb form for the defending URC champions this season, particularly given that the side hasn't quite hit its straps yet.

With Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies' respective absences for next month's year-end tour to Europe exposing the Boks' lack of succession planning in the position, there has been an outcry over Libbok not being included in a training camp scheduled for commencement on Sunday.

Yet Mzwandile Stick, Bok assistant coach and designated mentor for the South Africa 'A' side that will play two matches on the tour, gleefully admits that "anything can happen" should the 25-year-old maintain his high standards.

Both squads will be announced next week.

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"I've worked with Manie before at the Junior Springboks. I know what he can do. When it comes to him, seeing how he's taken on the role of a leader in the Stormers' backline has been really encouraging," said Stick.

"For so long, we've had Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies as our two preferred flyhalves. Now we're seeing various other local pivots playing some of their best rugby consistently like Manie.

"There's Gianni Lombard who's doing well and his teammate Jordan Hendrikse. Sacha Mngomezulu has also announced himself. We're in a good position locally in the position."

Libbok's performance in the Stormers' 16-all draw with Ospreys last weekend in particular seems to have prompted the national brains trust to take note.

On a night where