Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok is attracting “serious interest” in Japan as he weighs up a sabbatical move to the country next season.

Libbok is contracted to the Stormers until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup but could miss a chunk of the United Rugby Championship season to earn some yen in Japan.

Manie Libbok’s move

Initial reports stated that he was being offered to clubs in England, France and Japan, but Planet Rugby learned that he was only considering a move to Asia and not on a permanent basis.

The 27-year-old benefits from the SA Rugby PONI system, which means that the union supplements his contract on top of his Stormers salary.

However, he is weighing up his options next season with a sabbatical move in mind and according to a report by South African publication Rapport, at least one Japanese team is interested in adding the 19-Test cap Springbok to their payroll.

The Stormers are understood to be willing to let Libbok take up a sabbatical in Japan, considering the loyalty he showed to the franchise when clubs were interested in signing him, including French outfit Racing 92 who attempted to lure him to Paris before this season.

Rapport states that a Japan Rugby League One club is showing “serious interest in contracting him for a season” with the Stormers approving of the fly-half enjoying a spell away from Cape Town.

With Juree Matthee and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the squad, the Capetonians look to have enough cover in the fly-half position if Libbok were to leave on a short-term basis.

It is also reported that the Stormers will not entertain talks with Leinster over the possibility of Damian Willemse joining the Irish province, as he is also contracted to the side until 2027. Leinster are in the market for a versatile back to fill the void of Jordie Barrett, who will return to New Zealand once his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

👀 Leinster dealt hammer blow in pursuit of Springboks star to replace Jordie Barrett

Sharks sign one-cap Springboks winger

Meanwhile, the Sharks have confirmed the long-touted signing of Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe from the Lions ahead of next season.

Van der Merwe reportedly attracted interest from Sale Sharks, who announced the signing of his Lions team-mate Marius Louw.

However, the speedster has opted to remain in South Africa, becoming the latest Lion to head to Durban following the likes of the Tshituka brothers, Jordan Hendrikse and Ruan Dreyer.

The 28-year-old made his Test debut for the Boks against Wales in Twickenham last June but failed to add to his cap tally due to injury and will look to force his way back into Rassie Erasmus’ matchday 23 this year after earning an invite to the alignment camps.

👉 Sharks player ratings: Springboks heavies ‘dominate’ but Bomb Squad implodes

The Sharks announced the signing of Van der Merwe with a not-so-cryptic social media post on Friday with a video showing the winger diving over for a try against Wales with text reading “new player unlocked”.

He is the first new signing for the Sharks confirmed ahead of next season the Durban-based side bidding farewell to flanker James Venter, who will be joining Gloucester, as well as Ntuthuko Mchunu, who will be tasked with filling Steven Kitshoff’s void at the Stormers.

Earlier this week, it was also confirmed that Sharks forward Jeandre “Lappies” Laubschagne had joined Japanese club Canon Eagles with immediate effect.

READ MORE: 👉 Sharks v Leinster: Five takeaways as the Jacques Nienaber effect ‘exposes’ Springboks-laden hosts’ soft underbelly

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/manie-libbok-fields-serious-interest-as-sharks-snap-up-another-springboks-star