Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok doesn’t deserve the fans turning on him following on from the United Rugby Championship Grand Final defeat.
Libbok was sensational as the Stormers beat the Bulls and Connacht to advance to the final against Munster.
But with the forwards not gaining ascendency, Libbok struggled to impose himself on the game and made a crucial error in the final 10 minutes that allowed Munster to score the winning try.
Fans warned off slating Stormers star
Libbok failed to kick the ball deep after attempting to play his way out of trouble.
But former top coach Swys de Bruin has rallied to his defence.
“All top sportsmen make a mistake. Please people out there, don’t slate him now, there’s no need for that,” said De Bruin.
Libbok has since been included in the Springboks latest training camp alongside Stormers teammate Damian Willemse as the flyhalf options.
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LIBBOK INCLUDED IN SPRINGBOKS TRAINING SQUAD:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks).
Hookers: Joseph Dweba (Stormers), Malcom Marx (Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth ( Sharks), Marvin Orie (Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster).
Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).
SOUTH AFRICA’S 2023 TEST FIXTURES
Rugby Championship
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8 July: Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
15 July: South Africa vs New Zealand (Mount Smart, Auckland)
29 July: South Africa vs Argentina (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
World Cup warm-ups
5 August: South Africa vs Argentina (Vélez Stadium, Buenos Aires)
19 August: South Africa vs Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
25 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham Stadium, London)
Rugby World Cup
10 September: South Africa vs Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
17 September: Springboks vs Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
23 September: South Africa vs Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris)
1 October: Springboks vs Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
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