Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok is set to take over from Wallaby Quade Cooper at the Osaka-based Hanazono Liners, who are currently placed third in Division Two of Japan Rugby League One.
The Stormers have reportedly granted Libbok leave to play in Japan because they are spoiled for choice at 10 after the return to action of Springboks Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse, while Jurie Matthee has proved to be a decent back-up.
Libbok hasn’t played since picking up a knee injury in January, in the Stormers’ away game against Leinster. It makes sense for the Stormers to allow him game time abroad as he would be unlikely to feature for them in the coming weeks. Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse have been in fine form.
The Liners need a flyhalf after Cooper confirmed that he is to return to Australia. Another former Wallaby, the 37-year-old Will Genia, remains at the Liners and Libbok could learn plenty from Genia’s rich experience.
South African players are increasingly fond of sojourns to the Land of the Rising Sun where the rugby is lucrative but not overly taxing. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is known to be a fan of his players playing in Japan because it lengthens their careers. Veterans such as Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende would testify to that.
Lately, the Bulls allowed Kurt-Lee Arendse to take a sabbatical in Japan, as has Stormers lock Adre Smith. At 27, Libbok has time on his side to reclaim the form that made him the Springboks’ first-choice flyhalf for most of the 2023 World Cup.
He is also no stranger to travel. He began his career at the Stormers, moved to the Bulls and then to the Sharks. The latter two unions did not recognize his potential, and it was a move back to Cape Town that saw his career take off.
Libbok has played 19 Tests for the Springboks since November 2022.
