Bok newbie Libbok on Test debut excitement: 'I almost slept in my jersey'

In Genoa

Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok admitted he nearly slept in his match jersey last week because of fever-pitch excitement ahead of his debut against France in Marseille.

Libbok, who played in the last five minutes, will be coming off the bench in Saturday's Test against Italy at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Libbok said the moment was a dream come true for him, but he also allowed himself to let it sink in quietly on the eve of the Test.

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Libbok became the 920th Springbok when he got on the field last week and said the excitement of the moment had carried over from the previous night.

"I almost slept in my jersey, but on the Friday before the game, I made a point of taking time out to just have a good look at my jersey and just realising the magnitude of what it means," Libbok said.

"It's one of the biggest moments of my life so far. I'm grateful and honoured that I was able to go onto the field," Libbok said.

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok

"The moment was a dream come true for me. I'm grateful and honoured that I received the opportunity.

"It was a special moment for me and something I dreamt of when I was a kid. If I had the ball, I would have run from the kick-off.

"I was very emotional and excited at the same time."

Libbok was called into