All it takes is a few moments with Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White to fully appreciate the value of Vodacom Bulls star Johan Goosen and the reason he has been rated as the most accurate place-kicker in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season.

Goosen was surprised by his teammates at training as captain Ruan Nortjé opened an envelope and then read his name as the winner of the Gilbert Golden Boot Award for his 90% accuracy with the boot this season.

“Johan was out for 11 months, and I haven’t ever coached a player who comes back from an 11-month injury and performs so well again. He’s a tough player. He’s a driven player. He’s an extremely talented player. He breaks the line, he’s quick, he kicks well, he defends bravely. He’s a complete player in my eyes,” Vodacom Bulls coach White has said of Goosen.

The Gilbert Golden Boot Award recognises the season’s most accurate place-kicker amongst all kickers who have attempted a minimum of 30 ranked by their success percentage.

According to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship StatMaster, Goosen beat out the competition with a 90% success rate, having kicked 36 out of 40.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement considering that Johan has had to work his way back from injury on a few occasions. As one of the most passionate supporters of South African rugby we’re extremely proud of this recognition of a Vodacom Bulls star such as Johan,” said Sitho Mdlalose, Vodacom SA Managing Director.

There was no better evidence of his value with the boot than when he made his return from shoulder surgery and in his first start against Zebre Parma converted 10 of the Vodacom Bulls’ 11 tries in their resounding 78-12 win against the Italians. This equalled the record first set by Duncan Weir of the Glasgow Warriors in 2016.

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