Springbok Manie Libbok Wishes Wife Verna Happy Birthday: 'You Are the Rock in My Life'
- Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok shared a romantic birthday tribute to his wife, Verna, on Instagram, calling her the rock in his life
- Libbok's post attracted warm reactions from fans who flooded the comments with birthday messages for Verna
- The couple, who married in October 2024, are currently based in Japan, where Libbok plays for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
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Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok took a moment away from rugby to publicly celebrate his wife Verna on her birthday, sharing a heartfelt Instagram post that quickly caught the attention of fans and followers. The tribute offered a rare personal glimpse into the couple's life together overseas.
Source: Getty Images
In the post, Libbok shared a photograph of the pair posing together, with Verna dressed in a brown leather jacket and jeans while the fly-half held her close in a black Jordan sweatshirt. His message left little doubt about how he feels about her.
"Happy birthday, my lief. Thank you for being the rock in my life and for everything you do and mean to me. I appreciate you a lot. I love you very much, my lief❤️😘🙏🏽❤️," Libbok wrote.
Springbok teammate Jesse Kriel was among those who liked and supported the post. Verna replied with a red heart emoji, and Libbok responded in the comments with a kiss emoji, the brief exchange drawing warm reactions from supporters watching the couple's lives from afar.
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Take a look at the post below on Instagram.
Fans rally around Verna on her birthday
Libbok's followers wasted no time joining the celebrations, filling the comments section with wishes for his wife. Several fans affectionately referred to her as "Queen Vee."
One follower wrote:
"Happy Birthday Queen Vee 🎂🥳🎉 thank you for taking care of our Bro."
Another added:
"Happy birthday to your beautiful Queen. Blessings upon Blessings."
Others kept it short and sweet, with messages like
"Happy birthday Verna 🎉🥂🙏❤️" and
"Lekker verjaar @verna_libbok" appearing in the comments.
From George to Japan: Manie and Verna's story
The couple's journey together stretches back to their school days at Outeniqua High School in George in the Western Cape. They reportedly drifted apart for a time, with Libbok relocating to Pretoria to pursue rugby while Verna studied teaching at Nelson Mandela University. The two eventually found their way back to each other.
Libbok proposed on 1 July 2023 at Klein Roosboom Boutique Winery in Cape Town during a picnic, and the couple wed on 5 October 2024. Their Garden Route ceremony at Seeplaas saw Verna wear a gown by South African designer Elbeth Gillis. They marked their first wedding anniversary in October 2025.
Beyond dancing, where she has a background in ballroom and Latin styles, Verna previously taught at Pacaltsdorp Primary School in George. When Libbok signed with the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners for Japan's Rugby League One, she made the move with him, regularly sharing moments from their life there on Instagram.
Libbok's birthday post served as a reminder that behind the rugby career is a partnership he clearly values deeply.
Cheslin Kolbe shares hospital update
Briefly News previously reported that Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw during the Springboks' 29-24 win over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on 5 September 2026
Kolbe posted from his hospital bed the following day, thanking fans and recognising his wife, who flew to Johannesburg to be with him
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Source: Briefly News
