Manie Libbok Manie Libbok could be directing proceedings at flyhalf for the Stormers against the Dragons. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Springbok Manie Libbok could be the starting flyhalf for the Stormers tomorrow if director of rugby John Dobson follows his policy of introducing injured players back into the fray.
This season, Dobson has opted to include those returning to action in his starting team to have the necessary back-up on the bench should they complete the desired minutes in their first game back from the sidelines.
Libbok will mark his first game back when the Stormers play the Dragons at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow (6.15pm start).
Often players coming back from injury are selected off the bench, as was the case with Damian Willemse against the Ospreys overseas.
Still, Dobson has mostly decided to go the other route with his selections this season.
He explained it simply: he wants the injured players to start to give them as many minutes as they can handle, while ensuring a fully fit replacement is on the bench.
It covers all bases and limits the risk of having the player coming off the bench to play 75 minutes should the starter pick up an injury in the first five minutes.
This has been working for the Cape side, and there is no reason for Dobson to wander off this path when introducing Libbok back into the side.
His knee injury is a thing of the past, and now it’s about getting him to match-fitness ahead of the playoffs. And that will take a little bit of time.
While fellow flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been shining, for Libbok, it’s about absorbing the pressure in his return as he looks to get back to his best.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu could possibly run off the bench, but after going full tilt in his last couple of games, it might be an opportunity to rest him entirely ahead of the final match next weekend.
The attacking possession he receives will depend on the Stormers’ forwards, and if they can turn the screws on the Dragons’ scrum and lineouts, it will go a long way in helping Libbok and company to dominate proceedings.
They’ll have some young props in the absence of experienced front-rankers like Neethling Fouché, whose suspension ends after this game, and Frans Malherbe (back injury) and Brok Harris, who announced his retirement due to a knee injury.
If they get things right up front, it will allow Libbok and centurion Damian Willemse to dominate the attack alongside fullback Warrick Gelant.
This could serve up some special tries, similar to the ones they pulled off in their recent two victories at home.
Although it might be difficult, considering they had a week-long break, the Stormers attack will want to improve on the seven tries they scored against Benetton.
They felt they missed a couple more opportunities on the attack. How that goes will depend a lot on how Libbok slots in.
The match is tipped to provide him with a stable platform to make his comeback, and should the Cape side pick up the five points, as expected, they will move closer to fifth place on the URC log ahead of the final round-robin match against Cardiff next weekend.
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