Manie Libbok. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/DUIF DU TOIT

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THE flyhalf conundrum facing the Bulls could force coach Nollis Marais to blood "fresh out of high school" teenage pivot Manie Libbok.

Following the knee injury to Springbok Handré Pollard, which has ruled him out for the year, Marais has the headache of finding someone to fill the flyhalf’s big shoes.

Proposed replacements Tian Schoeman and Francois Brummer were less than convincing in the preseason friendly against the Lions, to the point where Marais admitted to being concerned about the flyhalf position.

"I haven’t decided yet who between Tian and Francois will start (in the opening Super Rugby game against the Stormers at Newlands)," Marais acknowledged yesterday.

"I’ve given both a run. It is important that they both understand the structure, are able to start a game and come off the bench. Down the line we will have a situation where we can rotate them."

The flyhalf poser has led to Marais elevating 18-year-old Manie Libbok to getting a feel of the big league by roping him in to train with the senior team from this week.

Libbok blended in well with the rest of the squad at training yesterday and looked confident as he practised his kicking — almost flawlessly — with Brummer and Schoeman after the regulation team training session.

He did what his two senior teammates did not even attempt — he launched a kick from 60m out that sliced through the middle of the posts on the Loftus Versfeld B field.

Marais admits that finding an experienced No10 elsewhere to join the Pretoria side would be difficult, therefore blooding their own is going to be their only option.

"I’d rather find another (young) No10 and train them," the coach said. Libbok, "who’s right out of school", was doing just that.

"There are huge expectations of the youngster. He is not involved in the Varsity Cup at the moment, so I’ve thought about bringing him in and giving him a run. He is a huge talent."

Libbok, a matriculant at Outeniqua High School in George last year, was part of last year’s SA Schools side, where the highly rated Curwin Bosch was the preferred flyhalf.

Libbok showed his versatility at school where he played mostly at No10 at Outeniqua, outside centre for the SWD Eagles Craven Week team and wing in the SA Schools team. He represented the SA under-18 team at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa. While it is said by critics that he may still lack the confidence needed to command the Bulls’ Super Rugby backline, backs coach David Manuel speaks highly of him.

"He is a real talent — watch out for him," Manuel said yesterday.

"He kicks very well with both feet. He can read the game well, has good hands and is blessed with an excellent side-step. He is a totally balanced No10. I’m really excited to see him play."

An option could have been switching Warrick Gelant from fullback. He was used at inside centre by Marais at Vodacom Cup level and filled the flyhalf berth in high school.

"I wouldn’t play Warrick there (No10)," said Marais. "I would rather play a young Libbok than putting Warrick at No10. I think he is doing very well at No15 — that’s what he is, a fullback.

"I would be putting him in a bad position because I think he will become a Bok as a fullback. Taking him away from No15 and playing him at No10 would not be good for his career."

The Bulls take a break for the rest of the week before picking up preparations next week for their Super Rugby opener against the Stormers on February 27.