The saying goes in isiZulu and isiXhosa that “umuntu aka lahlawa”. A person must not be condemned or forsaken. If there ever was a case for this, it would be the mercurial Manie Libbok. The Springbok and Stormers flyhalf was the most controversial rugby player in South Africa following his missed kick that, more or less, cost the Springboks in their 29-28 loss to Argentina across the Atlantic Ocean.
This result would have confirmed the Springboks as the 2024 Rugby Championship winners with one match to go, so you can imagine the criticism that was levelled against him. Considering other disastrous kicking performances by Libbok before, one can’t claim to be surprised that he came in for an excoriation.
Well, it’s safe to say that Libbok grabbed this reprieve with both hands (and feet) judging by the performance he put in front of the watching world. A video on the internet highlighting his excellence on the day as the Boks cantered home to the trophy with a thumping 48-7 showed that he repaid the faith that Erasmus show him emphatically.
