Under a picture of Manie Libbok’s amazing no-look kick pass to Kurt-Lee Arendse, my friend asked: “Can you explain what the big deal was with this moment? Everyone seems to be losing their shit on Twitter about this”.
You can forgive my non-rugby-loving friend for not knowing why that moment is so significant, given that he clearly didn’t watch last night’s Rugby World Cup opening game. (Whether I can remain friends with him is another story.)
It may not have been the Springbok flyhalf’s best outing with the boot – he missed two penalties and a conversion – but it was a commanding all-round performance.
Libbok, who wasn’t in the Springbok squad a year ago, is now the first-choice flyhalf for the world champions who hope to make history by becoming the first side to win four World Cup trophies.
The flyhalf has not only cemented his place in the Bok starting team but – deservedly – become an internet sensation for a tricky tactical kick that most players would struggle to do with their eyes on the ball.
Here is the whole kick-pass sequence:
This. On. Repeat. 🤤
The kick from Manie Libbok. 😍#RWC2023
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 11, 2023
This is the close-up of Libbok’s kick:
😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/Y5txoYcyIK
— 🥑Nat-Lee Lizzy🥑 (@middle_child28) September 11, 2023
Read More: How to watch the Rugby World Cup for free – and during load shedding
Two weeks ago, in the final warm-up game against the All Blacks, Libbok’s full suite of skills was on show – as it was in the World Cup opener against Scotland bar his goal-kicking.
Rugby fans may continue to criticise the lack of a specialist placekicker (Faf de Klerk also missed a penalty) but there is no debate that Libbok is a smouldering talent who will be key to the Springboks retaining their World Cup title.
Read my profile of Manie Libbok on Scrolla.Africa.
