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Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok is about to hitch the rising listing of South Africans heading to Japan, together with his doubtless future membership having been revealed.
Rugby365 report that Libbok seems set to sign with the Hanazono Liners, the Osaka-based outfit at the moment positioned third in Division Two of Japan Rugby League One.
The transfer comes because the Liners look to fill the void left by Quade Cooper, who introduced in March that he would depart the membership on the finish of the season. Cooper joined the Liners in 2019 after departing the Melbourne Rebels and has been linked with a bid to play flag soccer for Australia on the LA Video games in 2028.
Libbok received’t lack for high-quality halfbacks ought to he be a part of the Japanese facet nonetheless. Cooper’s fellow Australian Will Genia stays a part of the Liners’ squad.
Based on Rugby365, no formal settlement has been signed between the Stormers and the Liners. Nevertheless, it’s instructed that the Cape City franchise wouldn’t oppose the deal.
South African gamers taking sabbaticals in Japan is a well-trodden path. Kurt-Lee Arendse and Adre Smith are amongst these to have not too long ago taken benefit of such alternatives.
Franchises see these strikes as a strategy to supply gamers monetary rewards whereas sustaining longer-term ties to their providers.
The Stormers at the moment have sturdy choices at flyhalf, together with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Jurie Matthee. This depth is considered an element within the Stormers’ willingness to permit Libbok a stint overseas.
Rumours of Libbok’s potential transfer to Japan have been circulating for a while. Rugby365 is the primary to disclose the particular membership now being linked to the 27-year-old, with RugbyPass having confirmed his Stormers exit final month.
Libbok has not performed since January after he sustained a knee harm throughout the United Rugby Championship Spherical 10 fixture towards Leinster in Dublin.
The Springbok departed the sphere within the thirty eighth minute of that match and was changed by centre Jonathan Roche, who stepped in at flyhalf throughout the 12-36 defeat.
There are at the moment no South Africans on the Liners’ taking part in roster. The final was Damian de Allende, who performed for the membership in 2015.
