Latest news with #Stormers'
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Stormers bid farewell to Bok champ
The Stormers have announced the exit of a seasoned playmaker and Vodacom URC title-winning pivot among nine players confirmed to be parting ways with the Cape outfit. In a post on Twitter, the Stormers bid farewell to world cup-winning flyhalf Manie Libbok, with widespread reports linking him to a possible overseas sabbatical. ALSO: Jake on the chopping block? Libbok, along with tighthead prop Brok Harris and scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Paul de Wet, played a pivotal role in the Stormers' 2021-22 URC win. Harris has retired, while Jantjies and De Wet join Bayonne and the Vodacom Bulls, respectively. Veteran Clayton Blommetjies is also exiting, as hooker Joseph Dweba heads to Exeter Chiefs and Englishman Ben Loader returns home to link up with Gloucester. Winger Angelo Davids has signed with the Lions. Zimbabwean loose forward Dave Ewers has called time on his career. Thanks for all you gave us. Always a part of us. 🩶 — DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) June 23, 2025 The post Stormers bid farewell to Bok champ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The South African
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Manie Libbok leaves Stormers
The Stormers have confirmed a major squad shake-up, with nine players – including star flyhalf Manie Libbok – officially parting ways with the Cape Town franchise. Libbok, a key figure in the Stormers' 2021/22 United Rugby Championship (URC) title, and a 2023 Rugby World Cup winner, headlines the list of departures. While the team didn't specify his next move, multiple reports suggest the dynamic playmaker is set for a stint in Japan with Hanazono Liners, the Osaka-based side who are currently pushing for promotion from Division Two of Japan Rugby League One. Manie Libbok – Rugby World Cup-winning flyhalf, URC champion Brok Harris – Veteran tighthead prop and long-serving stalwart, now retired Herschel Jantjies – Scrumhalf, joining Bayonne in France Paul de Wet – Scrumhalf, moving to Bulls Joseph Dweba – Hooker, signed by Exeter Chiefs (England) Ben Loader – English utility back, returning home to Gloucester Clayton Blommetjies – Veteran fullback, departure confirmed (new team TBC) Angelo Davids – Speedy winger, signed by the Lions Dave Ewers – Zimbabwe-born loose forward, retiring from professional rugby While the departures signal a rebuilding phase, the Stormers' management is expected to announce new signings soon. Fans will be watching closely as the franchise prepares for the 2025/26 URC season with several gaps to be filled. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Cameron Hanekom shines in URC awards as South African players dominate Elite XV Team of the Season
The accolades keep rolling in for Bulls No 8, Cameron Hanekom, after a brilliant season. He was named in the URC Elite XV on Wednesday and scooped the Next-Gen Player award. Image: BackpagePix South African players continue to dominate this season's United Rugby Championship (URC) awards with no less than seven named in the URC Team of the Season on Wednesday. Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom, also named as Next-Gen Player of the Season, alongside teammates props Wilco Louw and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Stormers' flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and the Sharks' Andre Esterhuizen made it into the Elite XV of the tournament. 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 ✕ Ad loading The Bulls, playing in a consecutive semi-final on Saturday, and Munster lead the race with three players each in the side, while Leinster and the Scarlets follow with two. Double World Cup-winning Springbok, RG Snyman, is one of the Leinster players, and Bok hopeful, hooker Marnus van der Merwe, represents the Scarlets. Hanekom, nominated for the SA URC Player of the Season award as well, has set the rugby field alight since his breakthrough last season and continued his fine form for the Bulls, despite some niggling injuries. Louw, nominated as SA URC Player of the Season, and Wessels have been the chief destroyers in the scrum for the Bulls. Feinberg-Mngomezulu was a fresh breeze in the competition and has entertained supporters in the Stormers' flyhalf jersey after taking over from the injured Manie Libbok. While an injury also impacted a part of his season, Esterhuizen has been a consistent performer in the backline of the Sharks throughout the season. With two awards behind his name, Hanekom will look to make it a third for the vital SA Player when he goes up against Louw and Feinberg-Mngomezulu for it. Another Stormers star of the past season received a URC accolade with lock Ruben van Heerden named as the Tackle Machine award winner. This award is given to the player who boasts the best tackle success rate among those who have attempted 150 or more tackles over the course of the season. ⚡️ @TheStormers' Ruben van Heerden was tackling anything that moved this season 💥 1️⃣7️⃣1️⃣ Tackles 9️⃣7️⃣.7️⃣% Accuracy#URC | #URCAwards — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 3, 2025
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Stormers star banned for playoff matches
This past weekend, the Stormers' qualification for the URC playoffs was somewhat offset by the red card dished out to Damian Willemse, who was sent from the field for a high hit on Cardiff winger Gabe Hamer-Webb. It has now been confirmed that Willemse has been banned for three games. However, should the Springbok utility back complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme – which he almost certainly will – then the sanction will be reduced by one week. It means Willemse will miss the upcoming quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors, and if the Cape side progresses, he will also not be available for the semi-final. In the player's responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Jennifer Donovan), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. Donovan found that the incident met thered card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. Willemse received three weeks (50%) mitigation due to his good record, which results in a three game suspension. Fixtures Damian Willemse is unavailable for: Glasgow Warriors Stormers, Friday May 30, URC Quarter-Final *The remaining two fixtures to which this sanction will apply shall be determined based on the progress of the Stormers Considering how strict the officiating has become when it comes to these sorts of infringements, the Cape franchise were anticipating that the 27-year-old could face a ban. 'I haven't seen it enough to comment on what the impact is,' Stormers coach John Dobson said immediately after the game. 'He was stuck. I don't think he was trying to hit with the shoulder… I think he was trying to turn. 'The implications, I'm sure, are going to be poor for us. I've got no doubt. We can't appeal until there is a decision. I don't see them overturning that. It's a disaster for us.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Willemse misses Stormers play-off, maybe a Bok game too…
Damian Willemse's three game ban, reduced to two should he attend tackle school, has thrown the Stormers' title hopes in the air. Damian Willemse has received a ban that could see him out of action for the rest of the Stormers URC campaign, and possibly miss a game for the Springboks as well. The 27-year-old utility back was given a red card for a high hit against Cardiff's Gabriel Hamer-Webb in their match at Cape Town Stadium last weekend. Willemse pleaded guilty to the foul play, and after a few suspense-filled days, the verdict was given. He received a six-match ban that was reduced by half, with another match removed if Willemse attends tackle school. Assuming he attends tackle school – and most players do – Willemse cuts the ban down to two games. Stormers lose their 'treasure' He will miss the Stormers' United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium next week Friday. Should the Stormers win that game, Willemse will miss the semi-final against the winner of the game between Leinster and Scarlets, and be back in time for the final of the tournament. Should the Stormers not progress to the semi-final, Willemse will still be unavailable for the Springboks' game against the Barbarians in Cape Town on 8 June. While waiting to hear how long the ban would last, Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said it was a 'disaster' for the team and would sorely affect their campaign for the title. The coach said they would consider an appeal depending on the outcome. 'The implications, I'm sure, are going to be poor for us. I've got no doubt. We can't appeal until there is a decision. I don't see them overturning that. It's a disaster for us,' he said at the time. ALSO READ: Mapimpi banned for three games after making contact with opponent's eye Willemse the reason Moerat wanted to be a Springbok The Springbok star made his 100th cap for the Stormers this month. In doing so, he was hailed by teammates and coaches as not just one of the best players in the side, but one of the best Western Province has ever produced and one of the best in the world. 'We know what we've got in Damian Willemse, I'm not sure the world does,' Dobson said. 'This is a generational player… Other than the flash and that, he's the most professional guy, the guy doing the most time in the huddle.' Dobson called Willemse 'just a treasure' when describing his professionalism and qualities as a person off the field. Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat said Willemse was 'the reason I wanted to be a Springbok and work harder'. 'He has really changed the perspective around coloured rugby players. He will be one of the greatest coloured rugby players, if not one of the greatest rugby players to have played the game.'
