The Stormers are still to sit and talk with flyhalf Manie Libbok to work out a plan around his contract with the playmaker set for a stint in Japan next season.
Firstly, they wanted the World Cup winner to get back on the field after a knee injury kept him out of action the last couple of months because they will definitely push on his button during the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs.
They qualified for the knockouts on Saturday evening after dispatching the Dragons 48-12 in a wet but exciting duel at the DHL Stadium.
Although Libbok’s contract runs until 2027 with the Cape side, director of rugby John Dobson said on Saturday he couldn’t say that Manie is ‘definitely staying’ in the Mother City. The flyhalf, who spearheaded the Stormers’ inaugural URC victory, is linked with the Kintetsu Liners. There are rumours that he might make it a permanent move instead of just a sabbatical.
“The first conversation was to get him back on the field (playing) and then have a chat with him,” Dobson said about the situation.
“I don’t want to sit here and say he is definitely staying. There was a chance of him going on a sabbatical, but it’s tricky. We gave Adré Smith his sabbatical and it allows him to earn money that could change his life and extend with the Stormers at a rate that we can afford. Our model of ownership is a little different from the other big franchises.
“Manie has been a big part of the success of our team over the last few years, and we don’t want to say no to it. We haven’t sat with Manie and his agent to work out a plan. He is signed until 2027.”
With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu coming to the fore as the Stormers’ flyhalf in the injury-absence of Libbok, another spanner is put in the works. Should the experienced Libbok stay, it will be tough for Dobson and his fellow coaches looking at the flyhalf selection.
They have avoided that conundrum because both playmakers haven’t been fit at the same time this season. But, from next season, it could become a proper headache. For any coach, though, that would be one of the better headaches.
If the Cape side are to challenge for glory in the URC and Champions Cup in 2026, they would need both players available. Sending Libbok on a sabbatical will lighten the load on their wage bill, though.
Dobson said Libbok will come into the mix for Friday’s final round-robin clash against Cardiff to get him battle-ready for the playoffs.
He also added that the contractual issue with Springbok flanker Ben-Jason Dixon should be sorted, and he is convinced that Dixon will be staying on at the Stormers.
“There is a technicality in his contract that we couldn’t get agreement on. BJ’s personality is to give 100% for the Stormers. He is a quality oke. It’s a pity that things have gone this far and things have sort of been washed in public.”
