Libbok, Mngomezulu cracks the Springbok squad

The two Stormers back line players, Manie Libbok and Sacha Mngomezulu have an extremely challenging November waiting on them, as they will travel to the Northern Hemisphere as part of the Springbok Squad.

The two former SA Under 20 players have been in top form for the Stormers and have made significant contributions to the Cape Town franchises’ URC cause.

Those positive contributions earned them a call-up to the Springbok training camp, held earlier this week. And they clearly made full use of that opportunity, as both earned a spot in the Springbok Squad set to face Ireland, France, Italy and England.

Springboks reward form

The two were expected to feature in the SA “A” squad, but they jumped the queue. What helped the case of Sacha Mngomezulu is the fact that he has played under Springbok Under-20 coach, Bafana Nhleko.

“Bafana has coached Sacha for some time, so it was nice to tap into his experience of him and all the stuff they worked on with him within the junior ranks,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

“The thing that stood out for me from Sacha, he’s an athletic player. He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s agile, he’s got good skills.”

Libbok the Springbok

Manie Libbok’s career will almost come full circle. He crossed paths with Nienaber and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick at school level. The invitation Libbok received to join up with the Springboks at the Training camp in Stellenbosch was fruitful, as the Stormers general displayed growth.

“Myself and Stokke (Mzwandile Stick) probably came with Manie since 2016/17. I coached Manie at SA Schools when he and Damian Willemse were together,” said the coach.

“Manie, at one stage, was almost where Sacha probably is now. He’s the next prodigy, the next guy coming through.

“Everybody expected every game Manie must do this magic, because he is this magical player, and I think the criticisms when things don’t go his way are hard, so hats off to Manie.

“He’s matured since I worked with him and obviously he showed his quality in the URC last year and also now this year.”

Youngsters should look to Manie for inspiration

The Springboks coach confirmed that there are lessons that the young Sacha Mngomezulu can take from Libbok.

“He (Sacha) is a brilliant rugby player, but sometimes you’re going to disappoint people and you have to mentally battle through that. You pick up injuries, you battle through that.

“He’s a great player, but we’ll have to see. If he gets selected in these games (on the year-end tour) which probably will happen, it will be nice to see him perform at this stage that’s almost a step higher to the URC.”

Springbok squad:

Props

Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (unattached), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)

Hookers

Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks)

Locks

Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Jason Jenkins (Leinster), Salmaan Moerat, Marvin Orie (both DHL Stormers)

Loose forwards

Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)

Utility forwards

Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves

Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)

Flyhalves

Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (both DHL Stormers)

Centres

Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

Outside backs

Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Sbu Nkosi (Vodacom Bulls)

Utility backs

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)

SA ‘A’ squad

Forwards

Simphiwe Matanzima (Vodacom Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Cell C Sharks), Sazi Sandi (DHL Stormers), Mornay Smith (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Phepsi Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Cell C Sharks).

Backs

Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks), Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls), Gianni Lombard (Emirates Lions), Aphelele Fassi (Cell C Sharks), Cornal Hendricks (Vodacom Bulls), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions).

Libbok, Mngomezulu and the rest of the Springboks squad will come together in Dublin on Sunday, 30 October 2022.