'Manie should thank me because he's playing well' says White on Libbok's 5-star Loftus display

Bulls director of rugby Jake White praised the Stormers' Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok for his composed performance in Saturday's North/South derby, saying the change of environment has done the 25-year-old a world of good.

Libbok kicked two penalties, two conversions, and a drop goal in the Stormers' 23-19 win against the Bulls at a packed Loftus Versfeld in their United Rugby Championship clash.

Upon leaving Hoerskool Outeniqua, Libbok spent time at the Bulls but was deemed surplus to requirements and arrived at the Stormers via a stint at the Sharks.

Libbok arrived at the Stormers in a time of tactical and off-the-field flux, with the Western Province Rugby Union not knowing its left hand from its right while Western Province/Stormers seemingly were not able to find a viable flyhalf solution.

Once Libbok settled, something that allowed star performers Warrick Gelant and Damian Willems to settle in other positions, the Stormers took on a different light.

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They not only became the first United Rugby Championship winners but Libbok improved to a point where he wasn't just the Stormers' first-choice goalkicker, but was capped during last year's end-of-year tour.

White said Libbok often plays against the Bulls with a point to prove, with White adding that Libbok should thank him for his Bulls exit that allows him to blossom elsewhere.

"When I look at him, I say geez, he's playing well, and he wins a game. It's almost like he likes playing against the Bulls," White said.

"He's played well against us every time and it's like it's his way of showing me that we should have kept him at the Bulls.

"There are so many names I can mention like