Legendary Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn believes Manie Libbok can overcome his goal-kicking issues and become a consistent kicker for South Africa.

Libbok’s inaccuracies off the tee came under the spotlight again at the Rugby Championship when he missed a clutch to secure a victory against Argentina in the penultimate match of the tournament. His failure meant Rassie Erasmus’ team succumbed to a 29-28 defeat and extended the competition for another week.

The fly-half came off the bench in the defeat against Los Pumas but started the second leg at Mbombela. However, scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse was given the task of placing the kicks for the final match of the tournament.

The 27-year-old’s offensive genius and tactical acumen are often lauded, but his kicking has been his downfall and that has also been true in the URC recently. Last season he had a success rate of 73% off the tee, but impressed with six assists. In the Investec Champions Cup he scored 71% for the Stormers.

Steyn supports Manie Libbok to improve

Although he still achieved a high success rate of 70% for the Stormers, Steyn thinks he could cross the 80% mark if he can adopt the right mindset.

Steyn was renowned for his accuracy off the tee during his playing days, scoring 742 points for the Springboks in his 68 test matches. The ex-Springbok – who is now a kicking consultant for the Lions – believes the introduction of the shot clock helped Libbok inaccuracies.

“This move to the Springboks definitely puts more pressure on you. I think Manie is a great player. His overall play and attacks on the court are great,” Steyn said. The citizen.

“His kicking for the Stormers has been very good and consistent. But moving to the Springboks, I’m not sure he changes anything. What I noticed is that the shot clock might put him off.

“I think he’s maybe looking at the clock too much and worrying about the time because he seems to be taking the kick with only three or four seconds left on the shot clock. So that could be one of his problems.

While Steyn spent much of his career with the Bulls, where he won several Super Rugby titles, he also played for French club Stade Français, where the shot clock has been present for several years now.

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Where Libbok is going wrong

A sniper in his day, the former Bok believes Libbok’s problem lies mainly in his mental approach to place kicks and that small adjustments could make the whole defense whole.

“He’s a great player and also a good kicker. There’s no problem with his abilities or anything. But maybe he’s getting in his head a bit,” Steyn continued.

“He can kick and can be an 80 percent kicker. All he needs to do is get out of his head and focus on the job at hand.

Steyn won his 66th Test cap for the Springboks in 2016 before a five-year hiatus where it seemed his international career had come to an end. However, he was called into the squad ahead of the 2021 British & Irish Lions series, with the Boks lacking depth in the position.

He scored the winning kick to win the British and Irish Lions series for the Springboks in 2009 and replicated those efforts in 2021.

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The depth of the Springboks

He would play for South Africa again before choosing to hang up his boots. At the time, the Springboks had Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies at flyhalf with Damian Willemse as another option. However, Rassie Erasmus is now spoiled for choice, which excites Steyn.

“When I finished playing it was really just Handre and maybe Elton. Then Manie came on the scene and struggled a bit and Handre was the only real option,” Steyn said.

“Now there are four or five guys who can step into that position and play a big role for South Africa… It makes it exciting for Rassie as well and keeps everyone on their toes.” You can’t get comfortable and think you’re the (first pick) 10, 12 or 13.”

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