‘It’s a special place for me’: Manie Libbok reflects on Paris and rugby memories
Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok has a special bond with Paris, the city where he made both his Test and World Cup debuts. Speaking
Image: Picture: Instagram/manieLibbok
The Springboks have touched down in Paris for their European tour, bringing with them the same fire that made them world champions.
Libbok made his first Test appearance for the Springboks on November 12, 2022, off the bench against France in Marseille, a key milestone in his career. He later went on to make his World Cup debut in France, and both of these matches hold special meaning for him.
Being back in Paris now, ahead of another important match, brings him full circle, reflecting on how far he has come since those early international experiences.
“Obviously, it’s always special coming here,” he says. “As you said, now, I made my Springbok debut here in France, as well as my World Cup debut.”
That debut was a significant moment in his career, marking the beginning of his journey at the international level.
Libbok explains that both milestones, his debut and his World Cup journey, hold a special place in his heart, both taking place on French soil.
“It’s a special place for me,” Libbok adds. “Those are the memories that will last forever. I will carry it with me forever.”
Being in Paris again, gearing up for another big match, he’s walking in the same footsteps as that first time around, only now with more caps under his belt and a bigger role to play.
Off the field, Libbok’s life is similarly steady and meaningful. He tied the knot with his high-school sweetheart, Verna‑Lee Libbok (née Arries), in 2024 and seems to be quite the family guy.
Paris, though, isn’t just the highlight of his rugby highs. It’s also a city he’s shared with his wife before.
The two have visited the French capital together, strolling through its romantic streets and soaking up its timeless charm, moments that seem to mirror the sense of gratitude and wonder he feels when wearing the green and gold.
Libbok admits he hopes to one day share these beautiful and legendary memories with his future kids, to show them the stadium where it all began, and the city that gave him some of his proudest and happiest moments.
It’s a glimpse into the family man behind the fly-half, someone whose heart is as grounded as his game. For him, Paris is where love, legacy, and rugby all meet under the same bright French lights.