Manie Libbok

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Manie Libbok
Libbok in 2023
Full nameImmanuel Libbok
Born (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 28)
Humansdorp, South Africa
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight82 kg (181 lb)[1]
SchoolHTS Daniël Pienaar, Uitenhage
Hoërskool Outeniqua, George
OccupationProfessional rugby player
Rugby union career
Position Fly-Half/Fullback
Current team Kintetsu Liners
Youth career
2013 Eastern Province Kings
2014–2015 SWD Eagles
2016–2018 Blue Bulls
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2018 Blue Bulls XV 7 (17)
2016–2019 Blue Bulls 16 (129)
2018–2020 Bulls 35 (67)
2020–2021 Sharks 11 (18)
2020–2021 Sharks (Currie Cup) 7 (0)
2021–2025 Stormers 68 (609)
2025– Kintetsu Liners
Correct as of 1 November 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 South Africa Schools 2 (0)
2016–2017 South Africa Under-20 10 (42)
2022– South Africa 26 (141)
Correct as of 28 September 2025
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  South Africa
Rugby World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2023 France Squad

Immanuel "Manie" Libbok (born 15 July 1997) is a South African professional rugby union player. His current club is the Japanese-based Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. He previously played for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship and Western Province in the Currie Cup. Internationally, he represents South Africa. [2]

Rugby career

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2013–2015: Schoolboy rugby

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Libbok was born in Humansdorp. He attended HTS Daniël Pienaar in Uitenhage, and earned his first provincial selection in 2013, representing Eastern Province at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week, scoring tries in matches against the Blue Bulls[3] and the Golden Lions.[4]

Libbok moved to George for 2014, where he attended Hoërskool Outeniqua. He represented the George-based SWD Eagles at the premier South African high schools rugby union tournament, the Under-18 Craven Week, in both 2014 and 2015. In the first match at the 2015 tournament held in Stellenbosch, Libbok scored two tries, four conversions and one penalty for a personal points haul of 21 points in his side's 31–41 defeat to former side Eastern Province.[5] He followed this up with a try and four conversions against the Golden Lions[6] and a third try and two conversions against KwaZulu-Natal in their final match.[7] He scored a total of 43 points in three matches, making him the top scorer at the competition,[8] while his four tries were the joint-second most in the competition, one behind Western Province's Nico Leonard.[9]

At the conclusion of the tournament, Libbok was included in a South Africa Schools team that played in the 2015 Under-18 International Series on home soil against their counterparts from Wales, France and England. He started on the left wing in their 42–11 victory over Wales in their first match,[10] but dropped to the bench for match against France, not getting any game time in their 12–5 victory.[11] He returned to the starting line-up for their final match against England, helping them to a 23–16 victory to finish the series with a 100% record.[12]

2016–2017: Blue Bulls / South Africa Under-20

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After high school, Libbok moved to Pretoria to join the Blue Bulls academy. In March 2016, he was included in a South Africa Under-20 training squad,[13] and made the cut to be named in a reduced provisional squad a week later.[14]

Libbok was also named in the Blue Bulls squad for the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series and he made his first class debut on 8 April 2016, starting as a fullback in their 16–30 defeat to Western Province in Round One of the competition.[15] He also started their match against a Free State XV a week later, scoring his first senior points by slotting a penalty in the 15th minute of the match, and scoring his first try in the final ten minutes which proved decisive as the Blue Bulls won the match 20–17.[16] He also started their next match against Gauteng rivals the Golden Lions[17] and played off the bench in their defeat to the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth.[18]

On 10 May 2016, Libbok was included in the final South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship tournament to be held in Manchester in England.[19] He started their opening match in Pool C of the tournament in the fly-half position, scoring a try as South Africa came from behind to beat Japan 59–19.[20] He switched positions with fullback Curwin Bosch for their second pool match, a 13–19 defeat to Argentina,[21] but reverted to fly-half as South Africa bounced back to secure a 40-31 bonus-point victory over France in their final pool match, with Libbok scoring his second try of the competition just after the hour mark.[22] The result meant South Africa secured a semi-final place as the best runner-up in the competition, and Libbok started their semi-final match as they faced three-time champions England. The hosts proved too strong for South Africa, knocking them out of the competition with a 39–17 victory,[23] and they also lost the third-place play-off match against Argentina, with the South American side beating South Africa for the second time in the tournament, convincingly winning 49–19[24] to condemn South Africa to fourth place in the competition. Libbok scored his third try of the competition in the defeat, to finish the competition with three tries, the joint-most by a South African player with Zain Davids and Edwill van der Merwe.[25]

Libbok returned to domestic action for the Blue Bulls U19 team in the 2016 Under-19 Provincial Championship. He made seven starts in the competition, scoring three tries during the season – one against Leopards U19[26] and two against Eastern Province U19[27] – as well as 35 points with the boot through 16 conversions and one penalty. He finished the competition as the Blue Bulls' second-highest points scorer,[28] and helped them to second place on the log[29] to secure a semi-final spot, at which stage they lost to Golden Lions U19.[30] He also made a single start for the Blue Bulls U21 team in the 2016 Under-21 Provincial Championship, scoring a try in a 52–38 victory over Leopards U21.[31]

In November 2016, he was named in the Bulls Super Rugby team's extended training squad during the team's preparations for the 2017 Super Rugby season.[32]

2020–2021: Sharks

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2021–2025: Stormers

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Libbok debuted for the Stormers in 2021, in Italy facing Benetton in a losing effort after the home side made a second half comeback. He went on to feature prominently for the Cape outfit after impressing coach, John Dobson. The Stormers, only lost 4 games leading into the knockout stages for that season. During a semi-final clash against Irish side, Ulster, where the visitors were leading by 5 points after the hooter already sounded. Libbok made a skip pass assisting Warrick Gelant to score a try leveling the scoreboard. Libbok made the conversion from the touchline sending his team into the finals of the inaugural United Rugby Championship. In the final, he faced his former club the Bulls, and kicked a drop goal to extend a small lead and ultimately clinching the title. He was the leading point scorer, accumulating 171 points. A feat he replicated the following season, scoring 217 points.[citation needed]


2025-: Hanazono kintetsu liners

On July 22nd, Libbok's signing was officially announced by the Japanese outfit after reports had been making rounds since March. Initial reports hinted at a Sabbatical request, but it turned out to be a long-term endeavor after Libbok announced his departure from the Stormers. He was signed with the Cape outfit until 2027 and according to coach, John Dobson, wanted to honour his contract. Dobson, whom had been very vocal about having both Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, said that it was impossible for both of them to coexist at the franchise. He also mentioned the latter's request one year prior to only play fly-half and mentioned that he doesn't desire to play from the bench. Therefore, Libbok's offer couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Dobson, declared that Manie leaves with their blessing and an open invitation to return in the future.

National team

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In October 2022, he was included in the squad for the Springboks' year-end tour.[33] He made his debut for the national team against France on November 12th, receiving 4 minutes from the bench in Marseille. A fixture they lost. The following week he was once again named in the team to face Italy. He replaced Cheslin Kolbe early in the second half due to injury. He kicked 5 successful conversions in a 63-21 victory. He played his third test against England, also from the bench which they also won.

In July 2023, with long time pivot Handré Pollard still injured, Libbok was selected by then coach, Jacques Nienaber, to make his first start for the Springboks against Australia in their opening match for the The Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld opposing Quade Cooper. The young pivot delivered a masterclass performance marshaling his team to a 43-12 victory. He made his debut against New Zealand from the bench at Mount Smart Stadium where Damian Willemse started at fly-half. A test they lost. Libbok found himself again in the starting team for the final fixture of their campaign against Argentina, where he scored his first try in a close encounter, winning the test, 22-21. He then featured in another test against Los Pumas including Wales, both of which they won. On August 25th, Libbok made his first start against the All Blacks at Twickenham opposing Richie Mo'unga. With heavy criticism in regards to his goalkicking, Libbok kicked 5 successful conversions and showed excellent game management in a then record breaking victory against the men in black, 35-7.

In September of that year, he made his Rugby World Cup debut against Scotland opposing Finn Russell in what was his 10th cap. The inexperienced pivot was inconsistent from the boot only managing to land two penalties but he managed to prevent an otherwise definite try almost scored by winger Darcy Graham after a great cover tackle. And he delivered an outrageous no-look kick pass to Kurt-Lee Arendse who scored the Boks' second and final try of the day. He received the Man of the Match award on his debut in the 18-3 victory. So far undefeated as a starting fly-half for the national team and against marquee fly-halves, Libbok faced veteran pivot and Ireland captain, Johnny Sexton. After landing the opening penalty, Libbok missed a long-range attempt and a conversion for Cheslin Kolbe's try that he assisted with. The Boks went on to lose the match, 13-8, bagging a losing bonus point. He came under immense scrutiny being blamed for the loss singlehandedly.

Honours

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South Africa

Statistics

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Test match record

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As of 9 November 2025
Opponent P W D L Try Pts %Won
 Argentina 6 5 0 1 2 34 83.33
 Australia 3 2 0 1 0 16 66.67
 England 3 3 0 0 0 7 100
 France 3 2 0 1 0 4 66.67
 Ireland 1 0 0 1 0 3 0
 Italy 2 2 0 0 0 20 100
 Japan 1 1 0 0 0 8 100
 New Zealand 3 2 0 1 0 23 66.67
 Portugal 1 1 0 0 0 4 100
 Scotland 1 1 0 0 0 6 100
 Tonga 1 1 0 0 0 6 100
 Wales 1 1 0 0 0 10 100
Total 26 21 0 5 2 141 80.77

International tries

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As of 27 September 2025
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  Argentina Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Stadium 2023 Rugby Championship 29 July 2023 Win 22–21
2  Argentina Durban, South Africa Kings Park Stadium 2025 Rugby Championship 27 September 2023 Win 67–30

References

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  1. ^ a b "Manie Libbok player profile". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  2. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Manie Libbok". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  3. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls 30–26 Eastern Province". South African Rugby Union. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province 29–10 Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  5. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province U18 41–31 SWD Eagles U18". South African Rugby Union. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  6. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD Eagles U18 28–19 Golden Lions U18". South African Rugby Union. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  7. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – KZN U18 19–24 SWD Eagles U18". South African Rugby Union. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  8. ^ "SA Rugby Top Scorers – 2015 U18 Craven Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  9. ^ "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2015 U18 Craven Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  10. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U18 42–11 Wales U18". South African Rugby Union. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  11. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U18 12–5 France U18". South African Rugby Union. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  12. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U18 23–16 England U18". South African Rugby Union. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Large group invited to Junior Springbok trials camp". South African Rugby Union. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Theron names provisional Junior Springbok squad". South African Rugby Union. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  15. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Western Province 30–16 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  16. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Blue Bulls 20–17 Toyota Free State XV". South African Rugby Union. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  17. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Xerox Golden Lions XV 38–17 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  18. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – EP Kings 19–14 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  19. ^ "Ward to lead Junior Springboks in England". South African Rugby Union. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  20. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 59–19 Japan U20". South African Rugby Union. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  21. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 13–19 Argentina U20". South African Rugby Union. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  22. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 40–31 France U20". South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  23. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – England U20 39–17 South Africa U20". South African Rugby Union. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  24. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Argentina U20 49–19 South Africa U20". South African Rugby Union. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  25. ^ "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  26. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls U19 65–15 Leopards U19". South African Rugby Union. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  27. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls U19 40–21 EP U19". South African Rugby Union. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  28. ^ "SA Rugby Top Scorers – 2016 SA Rugby U19 Provincial Champs". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  29. ^ "SA Rugby Log – 2016 SA Rugby U19 Provincial Champs". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  30. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls U19 24–34 Golden Lions U19". South African Rugby Union. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  31. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards U21 38–52 Blue Bulls U21". South African Rugby Union. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Pollard to return to training next month" (Press release). Bulls. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  33. ^ South Africa: Manie Libbok and Sacha Mngomezulu named in Springbok squad for end-of-year Tests[1]
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