Manie Libbok is fired up to fulfil his dream when he debuts for DHL Western Province in the Currie Cup clash with the Pumas on Sunday.
Libbok will make his DHL WP debut along with three other players at the Danie Craven Stadium in the penultimate round of this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition.
The 27-year-old was released from the Springbok camp to get some game time under the belt and will get his first run in the blue-and-white hoops in Stellenbosch.
Assistant coach Dawie Snyman says Libbok has returned to the camp eager to get back into action.
“He is very motivated,” Snyman said. “When he heard he was playing, he immediately called me and asked for the team and who he was playing against, to help him prepare.
“That’s Manie. He’s very professional. Any opportunity he gets to play, he will use. You can see that he’s eager to be on the field. He wants to work on the things that he needs to work on.
“Manie grew up watching Western Province, so it’s always been a dream for him. It’s special for him.
“The energy that he brought in training today was amazing to see.”
Also back for Province is veteran prop Steven Kitshoff, who starts in a front row with hooker JJ Kotze and 22-year-old tighthead prop Corne Weilbach.
Kitshoff made his return from injury for WP in the clash with the Lions in Johannesburg, before he was called into the Bok squad to prepare for the Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks.
“The most important thing is to get game time,” Snyman said. “We are happy to give that to them, because it also helps us out that they are part of the group.
“From the Springboks’ side, it’s important for them to get time, but for us, it’s nice to have them back in the group. They bring great energy.
“It’s nice for a guy like a Damian Markus to play alongside Manie and to have Steven scrumming with Corne Weilbach. It’s exciting for the guys.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
The post ‘Motivated’ Manie eager for WP debut appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
