TRANSFER NEWS: South Africans pursuing sabbaticals in Japan have been a well-trodden path, and the latest Springbok ready to follow suit is Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok.
Rugby365 can reveal that the club Libbok will most likely join is the Hanazono Liners in Osaka, Japan, currently third in Division Two of the Japan Rugby League One.
In March this year, former Wallabies star Quade Cooper announced that he is leaving the Division Two side at the end of the season. He joined the Liners in 2019 from the Rebels.
This might explain the Liners’ pursuit of the Springbok No. 10.
Fellow Australian Will Genia is still playing for the Liners.
According to a source, nothing has been agreed between the Stormers and Liners as of yet, but it is suggested that the Capetonians are not against the deal.
Players from South Africa have been very successful in having an overseas experience through such sabbaticals, like the Bulls’ Kurt-Lee Arendse and Adre Smith of the Stormers.
Franchises see it as an effective way to allow players to have an overseas experience and benefit from it financially, while the club retains the long-term services of the players.
The Stormers have ample stock in the No. 10 position with the in-form Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, and Jurie Matthee, which is why they would be agreeable to such an arrangement.
Rumours about Libboks’ wish to pursue a lucrative stint in Japan have been swirling around for quite some time, and Rugby365 can finally reveal the club he is associated with.
The 27-year-old has been on the sidelines since January after he sustained a knee injury during the United Rugby Championship Round 10 clash against Leinster in Dublin.
*CLICK HERE to read about Libbok’s road to recovery
The Springbok left the field in the 38th minute and was replaced by 20-year-old centre Jonathan Roche at flyhalf during the 12-36 loss to the Irish giants.
There are currently no South Africans playing for the Liners, with the last being Damian de Allende back in 2015.
AloJapan.com