The urge to saturate the world with some of South Africa’s top World Cup-winning talents appears to have become a growing trend in recent times. This comes after rumours have emerged that yet another one of our top talents could soon be leaving the continent to explore new opportunities.
Following the likes of his Springbok teammates, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, and several others, it has now been hinted that Stormers playmaker Manie Libbok could soon be exchanging South Africa’s traditional braai meat for Japanese Sushi.
The 27-year-old who currently plays his trade at the Stormers in Cape Town is considered to be a local gem by fans across the city. This comes after he ended the franchise’s international trophy drought to win them their first-ever global silverware in the form of the United Rugby Championship (URC) competition.
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This is all thanks to his attacking flair and sturdy boot which has been the main catalyst for getting fellow teammates, Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant and several others into the gaps to score – and has also led to him earning a Springbok call up after being named the URC’s top point scorer for two consecutive seasons.
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However, with Japan’s growing need to expand their rugby league with some of the world’s top talents and having the money to back them, along with the rise of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu hounding in the background, it has now been brought to light that Manie could soon be leaving the Stormers either on sabbatical or permanently.
The news has not been confirmed nor denied. Stormers coach John Dobson has recently commented on the matter, in which he has revealed that there have been talks of sending Manie on a sabbatical, however, he highlighted that there were no talks of a permanent departure.
“I don’t want to sit here and say, ‘Manie’s definitely staying.’ It’s tricky… You’re not going to say ‘no’ if Manie has a chance to change his life financially… He’s done so much good for us, been a big part of this franchise, the success we’ve had over the last few years.
“We haven’t yet sat with Manie, his agent and said, ‘let’s try and work out a plan’.”
Also see: Manie Libbok and wife Verna-Lee enjoy couple’s getaway in Thailand
