Manie Libbok, the Springbok flyhalf, has finally spoken out following his impressive performance in South Africa’s victory over Argentina last weekend.
This win, which sealed the Rugby Championship title for South Africa, came just days after Libbok faced harsh online criticism.
A Big Win Amid Doubts
The match took place on Saturday, 28 September, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, where the Springboks dominated their Argentine opponents.
But in the days leading up to this triumph, Libbok found himself at the center of a social media storm, with fans criticizing his kicking after a disappointing loss in Santiago.
Despite the negative attention, coach Rassie Erasmus kept faith in Libbok, starting him in this crucial match.
Libbok played almost the full game, only stepping off when substituted by Handre Pollard, at which point the Mbombela crowd showed their appreciation with applause.
Libbok’s Response on Social Media
Taking to Instagram after the game, Manie Libbok shared his thoughts, breaking his silence on the recent trolling.
Posting a series of behind-the-scenes photos from the match, Libbok captioned them with: “You know that God did, he never gon’ fail on us.”
His post garnered attention from fellow Springbok teammates, including captain Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, Aphelele Fassi, and Damian Willemse, who all showed their support.
Kolisi even commented proudly, calling Libbok “My General.”
Fans Apologize for Harsh Criticism
Interestingly, many of the same rugby fans who had been critical of Libbok came forward to offer their apologies.
One user, @lelwaz_b, wrote, “I apologize on behalf of the KANTRY that we were mean to you. Maybe because we are not used to losing. We are sorry for being nasty human beings. Kindly find it in your heart to forgive us.”
Another fan, @bongani_momoti, added, “South Africa owes you an apology champ.”
The outpouring of support showed how quickly public opinion can change in the world of sports.
Coach Erasmus Stands by His Player
Following the game, coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that he had spoken with Libbok earlier in the week to boost his confidence.
“We really try to stay close to the fans, and we know that social media can sometimes be an evil thing,” Erasmus said in a post-match briefing.
However, he emphasized that such interactions with fans can also serve as a reality check.
“I told him he’ll get back onto the horse, and the guys are going to help him,” Erasmus shared.
He also acknowledged the special moment when the crowd stood and cheered for Libbok, noting that it felt “lekker” to see fans support rather than boo a player.
Looking Ahead
Now that Libbok has silenced his critics with a stellar performance, the focus shifts to what’s next for both him and the Springbok team.
With confidence restored and the support of fans and teammates, it seems the flyhalf is back on track for future success.
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