Manie Libbok looking for silver linings during injury layoff

The Springbok has been sidelined since 25 January when he was taken off the field during the Stormers 36-12 defeat away to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship. Libbok is key to the Stormers' setup, starting at flyhalf in all but one of his URC outings this season.

Director of Rugby John Dobson recently indicated that his pivot is still very much on the mend and has an expected return date of 17 May, deep into the Stormers' season.

Speaking in a video released on the Cape Town franchise's social media, Libbok has taken a holistic approach to his time away from the game.

"The important thing for me was to embrace the journey and use it to focus on different things," he said.

"I got a chance to focus on stuff I don't usually think of when I'm healthy and playing, and coach Nico helped a lot.

"I'm spending more time with my wife [Verna-Lee] and working on myself to be a better man and a better son."

The coach Libbok is referring to is Stormers' strength and conditioning coach Nico de Villiers, who has been impressed with the talent's efforts in recovery.

"We had to figure out what will work for him and what doesn't work," said de Villiers.

"However, Manie is such a technician, so once we figured out what he needs to do and explained it to him, we got his buy-in.

"He is very self-aware of the exercises and does them very well. It's a pleasure to work with guys who want to get back.

"At this phase, it's basically prepping him to run and getting him stronger to run."

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