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Fissler Confidential: Manie Libbok to exit Stormers?
By Neil Fissler
World Cup-winning fly-half Manie Libbok is being offered around clubs in England, Japan, and France despite being under contract to the Stormers until mid-2027.
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Libbok, 27, played for the Bulls and the Sharks before moving to Cape Town, but he hasn’t featured since his 68th game for John Dobson’s side in the defeat to Leinster at the end of January.
The Springbok ace, who has won 19 caps for his country, was a target for Racing 92 when they were desperately looking for someone to replace Finn Russell when he moved to Bath and has been offered to Leicester Tigers.
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Bath have launched an urgent search for an injury replacement for outside centre Ollie Lawrence, who is on the long-term injured list after rupturing an Achilles tendon against Italy in the Six Nations.
Lawrence has been a key figure for club and country for the past three seasons and seemed certain for a Lions call-up this summer for the tour of Australia but will now miss out after undergoing an operation on the injury.
Bath boss Johann van Graan, who is chasing a first Premiership title since 1996, is asking around to see who might be available for a short-term gig at the Rec.
Northampton Saints are interested in making a move for Stade Francais lock JJ van der Mescht after impressing director of rugby Phil Dowson in a Champions Cup clash earlier this year.
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The 25-year-old former South African under-20 international from Pretoria, who stands at 6 ft 6 1/2 in and weighs 145 kg, scored a try in a 45-35 defeat of the Premiership side in January.
The long-term plan for Van der Mescht was for him to qualify for the French national side, and Saints fear that they might not be able to afford his wage demands, but it hasn’t stopped them from having a look.
Bristol Bears appear to be in the market for another hooker and have been sniffing around Jack Yeandle, who appears to have rejected Exeter Chiefs’ first offer of a new contract.
The Chiefs, who have lost Jack Innard (whom Rob Baxter confirmed as signed for Premiership rivals Gloucester Rugby) and Dan Frost (who is off to title-favourites Bath), have told Yeandle, 35, he needs to take a significant pay cut to stay.
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“Jack Yeandle is a very valuable member of the club and squad, and if I can make something work for him to stay, I would be delighted to make that happen, but that has to work within our plans going forward,” said Baxter this week.
Rugby Australia are looking to end the drain of players leaving when their contracts end later this year by agreeing on a deal to lock Matt Philip home from his stint in Japan Rugby League One with Yokohama Canon Eagles.
Philip, 31, who has played for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, is poised to sign NSW Waratahs, who are in the market for test-quality locks, and he could be eligible to face the Lions later this summer.
He joined the Canon Eagles last year and is ready to come home to add to the 31st Test cap that he earned coming off the bench against Wales in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Ian Vass is set to have talks with French outfit Clermont Auvergne about whether they are going to extend his stay in the Top 14 when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Vass, who played for Northampton Saints, Stade Français, Harlequins, and Bedford Blues before moving into coaching at Saracens 12 years ago, moved to Clermont when he left Saints two years ago.
He has been working as ASM’s kicking coach, but his two-year deal is up, and according to Midi Olympic, he will meet with club bosses imminently to “discuss whether or not to find common ground.”
Cash-strapped Newcastle Falcons, who needed a cash injection from CVC and Premiership rivals to stay in business, are facing an uphill battle to keep hold of England under-20 star Ben Redshaw.
The Falcons have seen a host of homegrown talent leave the club, and 20-year-old Redshaw, who hails from Leeds and came from the Sedbergh School production line, could be the next cab off the rank.
The whispers are that Gloucester are keen on making a move for the full-back, who can also play on the wing or outside centre and who has scored two tries in nine games this season.
Exeter Chiefs, who are looking for a new attack and backs coach ahead of next season, are keen on bringing former England fly-half Dave Walder to Sandy Park this summer.
Rob Baxter decided this week to demote his close friend Ali Hepher as Chiefs head coach and promote Rob Hunter before looking for someone to come in at the end of the season.
Walder, 46, currently England Under-20s’ attack coach, is a former Director of Rugby at Newcastle Falcons and then moved to the West Country to join Bristol Bears. He is keen for another full-time role in the Premiership.
Bulls and Springbok back-rower Elrigh Louw has been warned that he might not play again after undergoing an operation on a serious knee injury.
Louw, 25, hopes to be back in action next January or February, but he told Rapport that the doctors are warning him that he might not be able to play again.
“The doctors told me that there is a possibility that I will not be able to play again and that my knee will not fully recover,” Louw told Rapport. “Although there is not 100% certainty yet, I am convinced that I will be back on the field.”
Ruan Ackermann wants to return to South Africa next season, according to the latest reports in South Africa, in what is almost becoming a yearly ritual.
It’s been reported that Ackermann, 29, who has played for Gloucester since 2017 and now has a British passport, is keen to return home like his father, Johan Ackermann.
RugbyPass understands that there are currently no South African United Rugby Championship sides interested in signing him, however, despite the overtures that are being made by sources reputed to be close to him.
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