"So that might be one of his problems" Morne Steyn highlights Libbok kicking issues

Former Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn knows a thing or two about landing match-winning kicks as one of the most accurate kickers in test rugby history.

Scoring 742 points in 68 test matches for the Springboks, Steyn completed a full circle moment in his career by landing a key penalty against the British and Irish Lions in 2021, having landed the winning shot against the Lions in the 2009 series decider.

Discussing the current state of affairs with the Boks, Steyn was asked about current flyhalf Manie Libbok’s challenges from the kicking tee.

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Highlighting a few areas where he sees the highly talented Libbok struggling, Steyn said, “That step up to the Springboks definitely puts more pressure on you. I think Manie is a great player. His general play and attacking on the field is awesome.”

Reminding people that Libbok’s issues have rarely transferred to the club level when playing for the DHL Stormers, Steyn said there was a key component at test level that he felt was putting Libbok out of rythm.

“His kicking for the Stormers has been very good and consistent. But moving to the Springboks I am not sure if he is changing something. What I have noticed is that the shot clock might be putting him off,” Steyn said.

“I think he maybe looks at the clock too much and worries about the time because he seems to be kicking with just three or four seconds left on the shot clock. So that might be one of his problems.”

“He is a great player and a good kicker of the ball as well. There is no problem with his ability or anything. But maybe he gets in his head a bit,” Steyn continued.

“He can kick and can be an 80% kicker. He just needs to get out of his head and focus on the job at hand.”