Upbeat Nienaber admits Springboks still have hitches to fix, but Libbok's kicking isn't one

As a pragmatist and realist, Jacques Nienaber will always find "problems" to fix in the Springboks' quest to defend their Rugby World Cup title, but Manie Libbok's goal-kicking definitely isn't one ... for now.

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South Africa's flyhalf was generally accomplished as play-maker on a day where the team scored eight tries in a 52-16 dismantling of Wales in Cardiff. However, there remain reservations over having the Stormers star as the only front-line goal-kicker in the squad for the showpiece.

Libbok spurned no less than 10 points from the kicking tee - missing two conversions and two penalties - with the real concern being the fact that a few of his attempts weren't particularly taxing.

However, team management would also reasonably argue that it's more important to back Libbok in context-less warm-up matches for him to build the type of confidence that would see him nail the points on offer when the stakes are at their highest.

If push comes to shove, a variety of other candidates such as Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse and Faf de Klerk can provide stop-gap service off the tee. 

Asked what his plan would be if Libbok's radar is off in future, Nienaber pithily answered: "We'd just tell him to keep firing shots. Keep going. Simple as that."

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It's a remark that will probably leave some observers uncomfortable though goal-kicking also doesn't matter too much when you're visiting the tryline regularly.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, the Bok mentor still believes his troops have numerous work-ons, particularly related to capitalising more ruthlessly on opportunities for points as well as continued