VIDEO: Bok coach's mirthful response to Libbok question
Springbok fans might be going into a mental meltdown over Manie Libbok’s declining goal-kicking standards, but coach Jacques Nienaber remains unconcerned about the issue.
The issue of the flyhalf’s erratic goalkicking has been a constant topic at media briefings for South Africa’s national team.
It is a question that was raised after the Boks ran in eight tries against an injury-hit Wales in Cardiff.
Last Saturday Nienaber initially seemed confused by the question, asking if Libbok was really bad.
Libbok, who has made eight Test appearances since his Springbok debut against France at Stade Vélodrome, in Marseilles, last November, had another shocking day off the kicking-T last weekend.
He missed with two of his seven conversion attempts and failed with both his penalty kicks at goal, as the Boks brushed aside a second-string Welsh side 52-16 in their World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff.
The decline in Libbok’s goalkicking – at an already low 75 percent earlier in the international season – has been alarming.
His 56 percent success rate in the last two Tests – which include the 24-13 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires a fortnight ago – has raised alarm bells for most pundits.
However, Nienaber – after having a good chuckle – told @rugby365com that they are “happy” with Libbok.
(WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber responds in mirthful fashion to a question about flyhalf Manie Libbok’s declining goalkicking standards…)
“If a hooker misses four line-outs, because it is a specialist skill that is there for the world to see, like [catching] the high ball, like kicking for goal, it is amplified a little bit,” the coach said.
“We are very happy with where Manie is.
“We prefer him creating eight tries for us and then work on his goalkicking.”
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