VIDEO: How Libbok fixed his kicking against Los Pumas
The quandary in the Springbok camp is the absence of a pin-point accurate goal-kicker with the omission of Handre Pollard from the Springbok World Cup squad.
Manie Libbok is set to play an integral role in the Boks’ World Cup campaign as the only recognized kicker in the group.
A quick glance at his average percentage during the United Rugby Championship does not paint a very pretty picture. With a 76 percent success rate, he is the best the Springboks can offer.
In Buenos Aires against Argentina over the weekend, Libbok missed four kicks before pulling himself together to help the Boks extend their lead and clinch the match.
Whilst the flyhalf has had some poor performances off the tee, he is constantly working at it and he will need to be on song.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber this week revealed what happened at half-time after Libbok’s dismal blunders in the first 40 minutes with his goal kicking.
“We discussed it at half-time, and I asked if he wanted to give the kicking duties over to Damian [Willemse], who was striking it beautifully, I was catching for him in the warm-up.
“And he said, no, he is fine. And I thought he came back strong. It just shows his mental strength and attitude,” Nienaber said.
It definitely shows the character and resilience of the Bok flyhalf to fix a problem and not just stand back to hand over the kicking duties to someone else.
Rugby365 asked Libbok about his decision to stick with the goal kicking against the Los Pumas and why he wanted to do that.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision. I missed two or three penalties and I realised technically I had my process wrong.
“I realised that is why I missed those kicks. I knew if I fix the technical part, I will be fine. And that is why I said I will continue with the kicks at goal,” Libbok said after the squad announcement this week.
