Manie Libbok will start at flyhalf for the Springboks against Italy in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, eager to deliver a polished all-round performance – including off the tee.
Libbok’s first Test appearance of the season comes after a perfect five-from-five kicking display off the bench in the non-cap match against the Barbarians in Cape Town two weeks ago.
“It’s one area of my game I’ve worked really hard on to get right in the past few months,” he told the media on Wednesday. “I’m just happy I got it right against the Barbarians.
“My focus now is just to improve on that performance and do my best to get it right going into this Test as well. It is a continuous process working on it. I had a really good week this week kicking to poles and I hope I can build on that.”
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Libbok came under heavy fire for his goal-kicking last year, most notably after missing a late penalty against Argentina in Santiago del Estero that cost the Boks victory and a clean sweep in the Rugby Championship.
He was retained for the final Test against Argentina in Nelspruit but relieved of kicking duties, a decision that helped him thrive in general play.
“Leading up to that game, I didn’t have a good record in kicking for poles,” he admitted. “I identified the situation, and it freed me up to focus more on my open play and executing our plans, driving the team around the park and putting us in a position to score tries. But obviously it’s something you take pride in, and for me it’s about identifying it and making the most of the situation.”
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Libbok faces stiff competition for the Bok No 10 jersey from double World Cup winner Handre Pollard and “generational talent” Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“We’re not seeing it as a battle,” he insisted. “We’re seeing it as very healthy competition and it’s obviously good for us all to push each other in training and that helps us get the best out of each other.
“In that way, we grow as players. It’s nice to work with them and learn from them – how they do things and try to put that into my game. We’re out there every week pushing each other to be better.”
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Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
