How the ‘hardest-working’ Springbok World Cup star fixed his goal-kicking :

Stormers kicking coach Gareth Wright heaped praise on Manie Libbok claiming that the Springbok star is the”hardest-working” player he has ever coached.

Wright’s comments come after Libbok’s flawless performance from the tee in the massive North-South derby with the fly-half kicking two conversions and three penalties to power the Stormers to a 26-20 win over the Bulls in Cape Town.

The strong kicking efforts come only a week after Libbok kicked a stunning conversion with the clock in red to win the game against Champions Cup holders La Rochelle.

Worked to change his fortunes

It is an impressive success story for Libbok who took some heat during the Rugby World Cup for his erratic goal-kicking. For Wright, it is no surprise to see the hard-working superstar come right.

“People don’t know how hard he works on his kicking,” Wright told Rapport. “Manie is probably the hardest-working player I have ever coached.

“We only worked on one or two technical things.”

⛈️ THE STORMERS MAKE IT SEVEN WINS ON THE BOUNCE AGAINST THE BULLS IN A THRILLING CLASH! #URC #STOvBUL pic.twitter.com/0FXLGsDp1I

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) December 23, 2023

Rugby World Cup experience

Despite his shakiness off the tee at the World Cup, Libbok still played a key role in the title run for the Springboks as he transformed the team’s attacking adding some extra dynamism to the set-up.

Wright believes that the playmaker has grown through the experience and maintains that he is always looking to learn and better himself.

“Manie came back as a deeper thinker about the game,” Wright said. “He has always been a true student of the game and eager to learn. What he learned at the Boks and in the World Cup helped us at the Stormers and we are very grateful that he is back with us.”

There is beginning to be a sense that, after beating La Rochelle and the Bulls, the season is getting back on track for the Stormers who had a slow start. However, it does not get easier as they welcome the Sharks to Cape Town next weekend for another thrilling derby.

READ MORE: Stormers v Bulls: Five takeaways as Springboks stars and hopefuls light up heart-racing North-South derby