Breaking down the Springbok door: Stormers star Manie LibBOK makes strong World Cup case

Manie Libbok. The clue is in the name. 

Another crunch match, another stellar performance from the Stormers flyhalf. Another emphatic reminder that he is, without doubt, Test match material. 

If there was a proverbial selection door to be knocked down, Libbok has smashed it to pieces, and his man-of-the match showing in the Stormers' 43-25 win over Connacht in Saturday's URC semi-final at Cape Town Stadium will only amplify the noise surrounding his Springbok credentials. 

"I think he's a phenomenal player, and it would be wrong for him not to be pushing for that South African No 10 jersey."

Those were not the words of one of Libbok's Stormers team-mates or his coach, John Dobson, after Saturday's pulsating knockout clash in front of 47 000. 

Instead, it was the view of Libbok's opposite number, Connacht captain and flyhalf Jack Carty. 

"He's an incredible player. You never know what he's going to do. You think he's going to pass, and then he'll do a chip over the top. He kicks off both feet and is a brilliant goal-kicker," Carty continued. 

"He's a joy to watch in terms of his range of skills and how he leads his forwards pack around. Unfortunately for us, he had a good game today."

Because he is smaller and far more naturally expansive than a traditional South African flyhalf, Libbok is often pigeonholed as not having the right blend of skills - kicking, defence and more kicking - required of a Springbok No 10. 

His performance against Munster back on 15 April in Cape Town was not his best. He was erratic off the tee in a game the Stormers only lost by two points, and in the aftermath, many commentators used that showing as an example of why Libbok should not be considered a realistic starting option for the Boks in their 2023