Latest news with #ManieLibbok
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Time to say goodbye: Stormers send players off on low note
The Stormers are losing at least five players permanently, and one possibly on sabbatical, after their URC season came to an end over the past weekend. Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok and hooker Joseph Dweba are both leaving, Libbok possibly on sabbatical, and Dweba permanently, during the off season. Picture: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images The Stormers said goodbye to a number of players on a low note when they were dumped out of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the quarterfinal stage by Glasgow Warriors over the past weekend. At least five players have played their last game for the Cape side to take up opportunities in the UK and Europe, unless some return later in their careers. Scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Paul de Wet are heading to Bayonne in France and the Bulls respectively, while hooker Joseph Dweba departs for English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs. English wing Ben Loader is heading back home to try reignite his international aspirations with Gloucester, and former Zimbabwe international and Exeter Chiefs legend Dave Ewers has decided to hang up his boots, after spending his final season playing a mentorship and back up role at the union. Arguably the biggest loss, possibly on a short term sabbatical to Japan, will be Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok, with Director of Rugby John Dobson confirming after the Glasgow loss that he was on his way out with the others, but with no confirmation on what sort of deal. Fade into the night 'Paul de Wet was (with us from) URC one, and didn't get on the field. Obviously Joe (Dweba), Manie and Hersch are big players for us that we wanted to fade out into the night. Dave Ewers also didn't get on the field,' said Dobson, on Friday night, about the players leaving. 'We'll go have a chat now when we get back to the hotel because that changing room is so sad now. It's like an American Civil War tent. The guys are really, really distraught and it's not the way I want to say goodbye to these guys who, as I say, have put a lot in. 'We really, honestly, in our heart of hearts believed we'd be playing next week. All those names, Ben Loader too, have been really good Stormers, so (it is) not how we wanted to say goodbye to them like this.' Another big blow to the Stormers was the unexpected forced retirement of club legend Steven Kitshoff earlier this year, after he was unable to fully recover from a serious neck injury. But it is not all doom and gloom for the union, however, as they have a couple of big names set to join them in the off season, while a number of other deals are expected to be made as well. The biggest arrivals are Springbok double World Cup winning scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who started his career in Durban with the Sharks and will likely finish up his career at the Stormers, and Sharks prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, who is moving down the coast.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Stormers opt for Feinberg-Mngomezulu over Libbok in pivotal URC quarter-final clash against Glasgow Warriors
The Stormers have shuffled their backline and opted for a six-two split on the replacement bench for the United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok dropping to the bench to make way for the talented youngster. In the midfield in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse, Dan du Plessis will combine with outside centre Suleiman Hartzenberg and they will have the task of keeping the Warriors' Scottish duo Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in check at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35pm start). Warrick Gelant is back at fullback and will be one of the playmakers, together with Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Cape side will rely on to get their game running. Gelant's defensive work at the back with wingers Ben Loader and Seabelo Senatla, especially under the expected high kicks from the home side, will be just as critical. Up front, Evan Roos is back at No 8, while André-Hugo Venter gets the nod ahead of Bok hooker Joseph Dweba for the crucial clash. Captain Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden will continue their outstanding partnership in the locks. Stormers' director of rugby, John Dobson, says they will give it a full go after a good week of training in the Scottish city.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Stormers opt for Feinberg-Mngomezulu over Libbok in pivotal URC quarter-final clash against Glasgow Warriors
General Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be the starting flyhalf for the Stormers with Manie Libbok expected to make an impact off the bench in their URC quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening in Scotland. Image: BackpagePix The Stormers have shuffled their backline and opted for a six-two split on the replacement bench for the United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok dropping to the bench to make way for the talented youngster. In the midfield in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse, Dan du Plessis will combine with outside centre Suleiman Hartzenberg and they will have the task of keeping the Warriors' Scottish duo Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in check at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35pm start). Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will start at 10 for the Stormers in their QF vs Glasgow on Friday. Manie Libbok is on the bench. Suleiman Hartzenberg in at 13 with Dan du Plessis shifting to 12 in the absence of Damian Willemse. John Dobson opted for a 6-2 split #URC #GLAvSTO — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) May 29, 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 ✕ Warrick Gelant is back at fullback and will be one of the playmakers, together with Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Cape side will rely on to get their game running. Gelant's defensive work at the back with wingers Ben Loader and Seabelo Senatla, especially under the expected high kicks from the home side, will be just as critical. Up front, Evan Roos is back at No 8, while André-Hugo Venter gets the nod ahead of Bok hooker Joseph Dweba for the crucial clash. Captain Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden will continue their outstanding partnership in the locks. Stormers' director of rugby, John Dobson, says they will give it a full go after a good week of training in the Scottish city.
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
URC result: Stormers wing it past Cardiff to secure fifth place
The Stormers bonus point win secured them fifth place on the URC log and they now wait to see where they travel for their quarterfinal. Stormers backline stars Manie Libbok and Suleiman Hartzenberg suring their URC clash against Cardiff at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images The Stormers produced an entertaining attacking performance to cruise past Cardiff 34-24 in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) pool match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night. The result secures fifth place on the log for the Cape side and they will now wait to see who they will be traveling to for their quarterfinal encounter in a fortnights time. It was the wings that setup the win for the Stormers, as right wing Suleiman Hartzenberg and left wing Leolin Zas scored four of their five tries, in a match that was closer than it should have been after the hosts missed a slew of chances. Special night For Hartzenberg it was a special night as he made his 50th Stormers appearance at just 21-years-old, dotted down twice and was named man-of-the-match after an action packed showing. The game also saw two red cards, Cardiff loosehead prop Danny Southworth receiving his marching orders for a high shot on Neethling Fouche in the 30th minute, while Stormers fullback Damian Willemse was sent off for his own high shot in the 58th minute to even the numbers. In the match it was a top start from the hosts as they dominated the early play, and were finally rewarded in the ninth minute when on attack in the Cardiff 22m the ball was spread wide, before being popped inside to Zas to run in his first try for a 5-0 lead. But Cardiff hit back almost immediately, as four minutes later they found themselves in the Stormers 22m, received a penalty and took a quick tap, with Southworth crashing over and flyhalf Callum Sheedy converting to put his side ahead. The Stormers were back ahead in the 24th minute, as they attacked in the Cardiff half, Hartzenberg received the ball outside the 22m, slid through a gap and stepped the final defender to score, with Willemse converting to make it 12-7. Southworth was then sent for an early shower, with the Stormers capitalising four minutes later as Zas showed great skill to stay in play, grubber ahead and dot down to score, with Willemse nailing the touchline conversion. But Cardiff made sure they were in the game at the break as with a few minutes left Sheedy sent a cross kick to left wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb to cut in and score, making it 19-12 at halftime. Back and forth The second half continued the back and forth encounter as the Stormers were first on the board to extend their lead, a superb cross kick from flyhalf Manie Libbok finding Hartzenberg to go in for his second in the 47th minute. Cardiff hit back nine minutes later as a good attacking move from their backs earned right wing Harri Millard enough space to go over in the corner, with the score 24-17 after 56 minutes. Replacement flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu effectively sealed the win in the 72nd minute as he chased his own up and under, fielded it and offloaded to rampaging replacement forward Connor Evans to charge over for a converted score. Cardiff gave themselves a sliver of hope with four minutes left, as they kicked a penalty deep into the Stormers 22m, set up the maul and rumbled over with replacement hooker Dafydd Hughes scoring and Sheedy converting. But Feinberg-Mngomezulu made sure they would only leave with a four try scoring bonus point as he slotted a long range 79th minute penalty to put the shine on a solid win for the hosts. Scorers Stormers: Tries – Leolin Zas (2), Suleiman Hartzenberg (2), Connor Evans; Conversions – Damian Willemse (2), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; Penalty – Feinberg-Mngomezulu Cardiff: Tries – Danny Southworth, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard, Dafydd Hughes; Conversions – Callum Sheedy (2)
The South African
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Manie Libbok topples Sacha as Stormers flyhalf
Manie Libbok has replaced Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu as Stormers playmaker for Friday's crucial clash against Cardiff in Cape Town. John Dobson has made several changes to the run-on lineup as the Stormers look to end the league phase of their URC campaign with a fourth straight win. The big talking point from the team announcement is the selection of Libbok at flyhalf ahead of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who surprisingly drops to the bench. Libbok makes his return from injury and will be partnered by fellow Springbok Herschel Jantjies at halfback. In what is a massive milestone for both team and player, Suleiman Hartzenberg will play his 50th game for the Cape side on Friday. Hartzenberg is joined by Leolin Zas and Damian Willemse in a potent back three, with Wandisile Simelane joined by Dan du Plessis in midfield. Up front, tighthead prop Neethling Fouché makes his return from suspension and will line up alongside Sti Sithole and Joseph Dweba in the front row. Captain Salmaan Moerat is joined by JD Schickerling in the second row, with Dave Ewers and Louw Nel on the flanks and Marcel Theunissen at the back of the scrum. Feinberg-Mngomezulu alongside scrumhalf Paul de Wet and wing Ben Loader will provide impact in the second half from the Stormers' replacements bench. Experienced hooker Scarra Ntubeni features on a replacements bench that also includes the likes of props Vernon Matongo and Sazi Sandi as well as lock Connor Evans and flank Paul de Villiers. Dobson said that his Stormers side understands that they will need to be at their best to continue the winning momentum they have built up in the last month. 'The last three matches at home have seen us gain some confidence and secure our play-off spot with a game to go, but we know we are in for a big test against a Cardiff side that has it all to play for. 'We have made some changes to ensure that we have enough players with recent game-time heading into the play-offs and we are looking forward to seeing what those coming into the mix this week can do. 'We are also very aware that we are unlikely to play at home again this season, so we want to put together a good performance for the fans that have shown us such incredible support,' he said. Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole. Subs: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ben Loader. 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.
