Rugby
Libbok earns start against Glasgow Warriors─── MORGAN PIEK 12:38 Fri, 25 Oct 2024
The Springbok Manie Libbok will make his first appearance of the season for the Stormers on Saturday when they face the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship.
Libbok has been named at flyhalf for the game in Stellenbosch, while Damian Willemse moves to inside centre.
Upfront, the hooker André-Hugo Venter will play in his 50th game, while the tighthead prop and fellow Springbok, Frans Malherbe, will also play for the first time this season.
The prop Leon Lyons and loose-forwards Willie Engelbrecht and Louw Nel come onto the bench.
André-Hugo Venter. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Stormers coach, John Dobson, said it’s great to have Springboks back in the fold, and while his team did well in the 34-19 win against Munster, picking Libbok is a no-brainer.
“We have a fair amount of injured Springboks, but Frans is a unique player, so having him back is big for us,” said Dobson.
“With Manie, you know, I get frustrated a bit with the criticism that’s out there regarding Manie, but in this franchise, he’s proven his worth time and time again. He is a world-class flyhalf.
“It’s a nice boost for us and I think the team did well last week. I think with Dan (du Plessis) in the back, we did very well last week, but I’d say if you’re going to have a world-class flyhalf back, you’re going to make a plan to play him.”
Saturday’s game at the Danie Craven Stadium kicks off at 13:45.
Stormers – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Dan du Plessis (captain), 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Brok Harris
Replacements – 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Adré Smith, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg
Glasgow Warriors – TBA
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh