Stormers find a general in Manie Libbok as Dobson hails 'special relationship' with Bok stars

While a lot of attention has, understandably, been devoted to the respective influence of Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse in the Stormers' rapidly evolving backline play, another name has quietly slipped in to create an imposing three-part decision-making axis.

It's fair to say that not everyone was convinced of Manie Libbok's ability to build on his undeniable promise after an ultimately unfulfilling early career at Loftus and then a painfully wasteful stay at the Sharks when he came to Cape Town last year.

Even as recently as the Stormers' late-game meltdown against the Durbanites at King's Park there were still major doubts.

However, that didn't take into account some green shoots of class Libbok showed on the United Rugby Championship tour in 2021, which is now blossoming steadily following two fine weeks in the No 10 jersey.

READ | Dobson hails Stormers' game control: 'We're not arrogant, but won without over-exerting ourselves'

In fact, given how tactically astute the 24-year-old pivot was in Saturday's excellent 32-10 win over the Lions, it's not out of place to suggest he's becoming the understated general of the Stormers' attack.

That growth is down to two factors, one actually being painfully obvious.

"When he joined us, I told him from the outset: 'You're our flyhalf for the foreseeable future'," said John Dobson, the Stormers head coach.

"At his other franchises, Manie's fortunes have been similar. He starts at flyhalf, shifts to fullback and then he's out. We undeniably had some tough discussions too over the past month, Manie had a particularly painful game in Durban.

"We all agreed it wasn't a great performance, but straight after the game we sat down and I told him his playing flyhalf again the next week."

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