Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok suffered a severe head knock that landed him in hospital last Saturday, 7 December 2024, during the Investec Champions Cup. Libbok was knocked out cold after a tackle by Toulon replacement Yannick Youyoutte, who was subsequently red-carded for his actions.

Youyoutte’s tackle

Manie Libbok had to be stretchered from the field and rushed to the hospital after suffering a serious head injury. A tackle by Yannick Youyoutte left Libbok unconscious. He was immediately taken to the hospital in Gqeberha for observation. Some of the spectators described the tackle as ‘sickening’.

Watch the tackle in the following video:

What are the consequences for Youyoutte?

Apart from the referee giving Youyoutte a red card during the game (and sending him off the field), he will not be able to play for five weeks.

Also, Youyoutte appeared before a disciplinary panel on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, where the forward accepted that his action warranted a red card, according to Planet Sport.

The committee decided that it met the rare top-end threshold and therefore deserved a 10-week ban. However, they decided to cut that in half due to the mitigation. Should Youyoutte participate in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, the committee could decide to further reduce the ban by an extra week.

Cedric Rouhaud (RCT Legal Director), Laurent Emmanuelli (RCT Sporting Director), and Sophie Magdziak (RCT Lawyer) represented the player.

Both Youyoutte and EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) have the right to appeal the decision.

Injuries in the Stormers team

Jurie Matthee will replace Manie Libbok while he recovers and awaits reassessment. Markedly, he was not the only player who travelled back home with injuries this past weekend. Keke Morabe and Ben-Jason Dixon also suffered injuries and join a host of Stormers players on the sidelines. Morabe underwent knee surgery on Monday, ruling him out long term.

The last couple of games involved many injuries for the Stormers players.

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

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/stormers/libboks-hospitalisation-consequences-for-player-responsible/