The Stormers have reportedly agreed to grant Manie Libbok a sabbatical that will see the flyhalf miss most of next season for the Cape outfit.
According to Rapport, the Springbok playmaker is set to pursue a lucrative stint in Japan League One, which runs from December through May, though his destination club remains undisclosed.
Rugby365 reports that Libbok appears set to sign with the Hanazono Liners, the Osaka-based outfit currently placed third in Division Two.
It is believed this deal allows the 27-year-old to boost his earnings while potentially returning for the latter stages of the 2025-26 campaign.
Currently sidelined with a knee injury, Libbok’s availability for the Stormers’ final Vodacom URC league fixtures against Dragons (10 May) and Cardiff (16 May) is uncertain.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Jurie Matthee provide sufficient cover at No 10 for Stormers boss John Dobson.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
