After the first round of the Champions Cup, there was some real concern over a head injury suffered by Stormers star Manie Libbok, who needed to be stretchered from the field before being rushed to hospital.

Libbok was knocked out cold after a sickening tackle by Toulon replacement Yannick Youyoutte, who was subsequently red-carded for his actions.

The Springbok World Cup winner was immediately taken to hospital in Gqeberha for observation, but was able to return to the team hotel on Saturday evening.

However, he will now go through a mandatory rest period, while any post-concussion symptoms will be closely monitored.

Taking to social media for the first time on Tuesday, Libbok shared a brief message and admitted he was grateful to be able to “keep going”.

“Appreciate the messages of support—grateful and blessed to keep going!” he shared on Instagram.

Libbok will be reassessed after 12 days as per HIA protocols, and is now set to be replaced by playmaker Jurie Matthee in the No 10 jersey.

Lbbok, Keke Morabe and Ben-Jason Dixon all travelled back home with injuries this past weekend, and join a host of Stormers players on the sidelines.

“It’s been tough injury-wise the last couple of games for us,” assistant coach NormanLaker said during a teleconference on Tuesday. “But Salmaan Moerat is back and available for selection.

“He is a quality human being, we know each other quite well and have come a long way. He’s a good leader and means a lot to the team.”

Morabe underwent knee surgery on Monday, ruling him out long term, but Laker is confident of the next generation of talent at the Cape outfit making the step up on the European stage.

“At the moment we do have a lot of injuries, we can’t look away from it. It will take one or two youngsters to make it into a match-day 23 or just train with the team to make sure we have the numbers,” he said.

“One or two of them will get an opportunity to prove what they’ve shown us in the Currie Cup.”

Sti Sithole (ankle), Frans Malherbe (ankle), Deon Fourie (knee) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (concussion) are all expected to make their return before the end of the year, while Steven Kitshoff (neck), Evan Roos (shoulder), Dan du Plessis (knee), Ben Loader (knee) and Damian Willemse (groin) all continue their rehab and are scheduled to return to play in the new year.

It’s an extensive injury list, but at least the initial fears over Libbok have been allayed.

You can see the tackle that left Stormers star Manie Libbok in hospital below:

What are your views on this spate of injuries?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news and views.

Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/update-manie-libbok-posts-message-after-sickening-head-knock/