Morne Steyn backs Manie Libbok to deliver in World Cup

Springbok legend Morne Steyn has backed fly-half Manie Libbok to have a successful World Cup despite his inconsistent performances leading into the showpiece event.

An injury to Handre Pollard meant the 26-year-old was entrusted with the kicking responsibility being the only specialist fly-half in the squad.

Having made his debut in 2022 against France, Libbok has managed to keep out Damian Willemse out of the number 10 jersey but has had mixed performances until now.

Even though he missed relatively simple kicks against Wales during their 52-16 win in the warm-up game, the Stormers star slotted five out of five kicks in their record win over the All Blacks and Steyn, who announced his retirement from playing career earlier in the year believes he is the key to South Africa's fortune in the upcoming tournament.

“A guy like Manie Libbok has worked his ar*e off to be where he is,” Steyn told IOL.

“He sat behind me (at the Bulls), he sat behind a lot of guys and worked hard. They did not give him the opportunities.

“He is doing well now. Last weekend (when Libbok slotted five out of five kicks against the All Blacks in a record victory in London), we saw that he can be that 90% (success rate) goal-kicker when it is needed from him.

“He kicked very well at the Stormers, so I don’t know what happened the previous three games.”