Manie Libbok’s ‘life-changing’ move confirmed as ambitious club signs All Blacks centre and two more South Africans

Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok will join Japanese club the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners ahead of the 2025/26 Japan Rugby League One season.

He joins the club as a direct replacement for former Wallabies pivot Quade Cooper, who brought his illustrious career to a close at the end of last season, falling short of helping the side secure promotion.

The second division team also bid farewell to his long-time half-back partner Will Genia, who was not offered a contract extension.

Ambitious Liners’ signings

Looking to go one step further and secure promotion in the 2025/26 season, the Liners have made a plethora of signings, which were unveiled on Tuesday, with Libbok joined by one-cap All Black and ex-Hurricanes centre Peter Umaga-Jensen.

Umaga-Jensen is set to feature in the midfield along with ex-Wasps, Northampton Saints, Bulls and Lions centre Burger Odendaal, who was also among the new additions confirmed.

The third South African to be added to the Liners’ stocks is lock Ryno Pieterse, who joins from French Pro D2 club Grenoble, with Newcastle Falcons second-rower Kiran McDonald also signing for the Japanese side.

The Liners have also signed prop Shohei Hirano from the Panasonic Wild Knights and scrum-half Keita Fujiwara from Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.

Stormers boss John Dobson confirmed Libbok’s long-rumoured departure last month but admitted that he was happy for the player who was offered a ‘eye-watering’ contract in Japan.

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The Cape-based side will not be signing a replacement for Libbok with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Jurie Mathee and Jean-Luc du Plessis and their books.

“We’ve had a fantastic journey with him,” Dobson said.

“He’s a massive loss. Manie got an eye-watering offer from Japan, and it’s a life-changing amount of money. It’ll change his whole family’s life.

“Manie goes with blessing, thanks and an open invitation to come back.”

Commenting on his move to Japan, Libbok said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. It’s a great opportunity for me to contribute to the team’s success and do everything I can to help get the club back into the top division of Japanese rugby.

“I’m also looking forward to working with the younger players and sharing my experience to help them grow and develop.

“Most importantly, I can’t wait to connect with the fans and become part of the Kintetsu community — both on and off the field. Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m ready for the journey ahead.”

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