Latest news with #SaffasAbroad
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Life without magical Manie Libbok at No 10 could be tougher for Stormers than what they are prepared for
Manie Libbok will be missed by the Stormers when he departs for Japan soon. Photo: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media Image: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media Comment by Leighton Koopman Whenever Manie Libbok pulls on a Stormers jersey, magic is bound to happen on the rugby field. However, his departure from the Stormers – confirmed in a video by the Cape side – to Japan is not just the end of a brilliant chapter of his rugby career in the Mother City. But it could also end up in a flyhalf crisis for the team in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup. For a franchise that rebuilt itself around flair, unpredictability and a free-flowing attacking game-plan when they nearly went bankrupt, losing the conductor of that orchestra is more than just a setback; it is a massive blow to their ambitions of winning titles in the future. Thanks for all you gave us. Always a part of us. 💙🩶 — DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) June 23, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Let's be blunt: the Stormers' attacking identity doesn't function without a flyhalf who can pull the strings and improvise on the attack. Libbok isn't just any No 10, though. He has been at the forefront of their resurgence since joining from the Bulls and Sharks, two franchises that failed to unlock the full potential of his talent. At the Stormers, he flourished, and there is a simple reason for that: the Cape side embraced his strengths and built their model around how he plays, not the other way around. Now, with Libbok exiting, the system may collapse. Manie Libbok expected to be announced by Kintetsu Liners pretty soon. #rugbyjp #SaffasAbroad — Darren (@SaffasRugby) June 24, 2025 Libbok's ability is rare and when harnessed properly, he is a title-winning flyhalf on any given day. He steps off his right and left foot, and his passing game is sublime – whether to the left or right of the field, he has world-class vision on the attack even in pressure situations. He doesn't just run plays – he reads the game in real time, and almost bends it to his will when on song. Replacing that will be difficult, and it was evident when he was injured last season. Newbie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is promising, and no doubt the future of the Stormers. However, he's raw, and it was clear in the Cape side's flat performance in the URC quarter-finals against the Glasgow Warriors recently. End of an era in Cape Town. 💔 The Stormers confirm nine player exits, including URC-winning pivot Manie Libbok! Reports link him to Japan's Liners. Best of luck, Manie!#Stormers #AllThingsRugby — All Things Rugby (@AllThingsRugbyX) June 23, 2025 He failed to spark his side, and only when Libbok entered the fray as the flyhalf did the team look better. If Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the heir apparent, he will need time. But time is a luxury that the Stormers don't necessarily have in the extremely competitive European rugby competitions. Worst of all, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is injury-prone, and should he go down again for an extended period, they will be in real trouble with Libbok away. Other options in the squad, like Jurie Matthee, lack Libbok's instinctive flair and resilience, especially under pressure. Remember the 2022 URC campaign? Libbok didn't just step up, he owned the biggest stage, and that took his career to another level. Not many players can do that. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson built the team model on movement, unpredictability and creative offloads – hot-potato rugby, as some call it. Without a dynamic pivot to link the backs and forwards and dictate their transition from defence to attack, the model will feel it. Losing that impetus could see the team take a more structured and conservative approach with other flyhalves, except maybe Feinberg-Mngomezulu. That is not what supporters would want to see. They want the flair, the fast-paced action and the fun that sets the team apart from other sides.
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Watch: South African stars shine in Europe
Bath bulldozer Thomas du Toit joined the list of South Africans to win the English Premiership as the country's foreign legion starred in Europe. English Premiership: Springbok prop Thomas du Toit crossed the whitewash to help Johann van Graan's Bath defeat the Leicester Tigers 23-21 and secure the English Premiership title. Du Toit was reinforced by replacement prop Frans van Wyk. Bok flyhalf Handre Pollard contributed six points from the tee, while former Bulls flanker Hanro Liebenberg packed down for the Tigers. Top 14: Eight-cap Springbok Uzair Cassiem started at No 8 for Bayonne in a 20-3 win against Clermont in the Top 14 quarter-finals. Former Kings prop Pieter Scholtz was named on the bench for Bayonne. Un éclair de génie de Tom Spring à Jean-Dauger @avironrugbypro #BarragesTOP14 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 14, 2025 Scrumhalf James Hall ran out for Perpignan in their 13-11 win against Grenoble in the Top 14 relegation final. Former Lions prop Johannes Jonker started in the pack for Grenoble. Garder son sang froid @usap_officiel 🧊 Pas de pression pour Tommaso Allan qui passe la pénalité la plus importante de la saison catalane #AccessMatchTOP14 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 15, 2025 The post Saffas Abroad: Du Toit delivers Bath Premiership trophy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
