Liners pivot Manie Libbok to rejoin the Sharks in July 2027

Kintetsu Liners fly-half Manie Libbok will leave the division two club when his contract expires next summer to rejoin URC side the Sharks, the South African outfit announced today.

Libbok, 29, is currently away with the Springboks on Nations Championship duty and is among Rassie Erasmus’ replacements for their game against Italy on Saturday.

The former Bulls and Stormers playmaker, who has won the World Cup, URC and the Rugby Championship, spent a season with the Sharks during the pandemic before moving on to the Stormers in 2025.

© JRLO

South Africa’s 34-cap pivot joined the Osaka-based Liners last year and worked with coaches and Wallabies legends Will Genia and Quade Cooper as he finished his first season as the division’s top points scorer.

Libbok scored 165 points in 14 appearances as the promotion favourites suffered a dramatic loss against champions Toyota Shuttles on the last day of the regular season which cost them a top-two finish and a promotion/relegation play-off opportunity.

The Liners announced today that their marquee player will leave the club next summer which was swiftly followed by the Sharks confirming his return on a multi-year deal from July 2027.

“For this next chapter of my career, there is no club I would rather be joining than the Sharks,” said Libbok, who scored a hat-trick against Hino Red Dolphins in April, on the club website.

“This is an iconic club with a proud history, there’s real excitement about the future, and I want to be part of what’s being built here.

“I’ve had a taste of Durban before, so coming back at this stage of my career with experience behind me, as the club starts a new era, means a lot to me. I can’t wait to pull on the black and white jersey, work with coaches and my teammates, and give everything I’ve got for the badge and our supporters.”

Head coach and former Springboks full-back JP Pietersen, who enjoyed a spell in Japan with Saitama Wild Knights, praised Libbok’s skill set and mentality.

“Manie is a gamechanger and a playmaker. That’s exactly the kind of player we want driving our game.

“Fast, physical and relentless isn’t just a line for us. It needs players who can bring this to life every week and Manie does that. What stood out most when we spoke was his hunger. He doesn’t just want to join the Hollywoodbets Sharks, he wants to help build something here with the rest of the squad.

“We’re building a team with a strong identity, where every player puts the badge first and plays for the man next to him. Manie buys into that completely. That attitude will rub off on the young players in the group, and we are really excited to work with him.”

Sharks CEO Shaun Bryans said: “Securing a player of Manie’s quality on a multi-year deal shows where this club is going.

“We’ve been clear that the new era of Sharks rugby is about building a team that competes for trophies and makes our supporters proud. In addition to developing high-quality players through our system, that means selectively attracting the best talent globally.”

Libbok will kick off his second and final season in Japan when the Liners host local rivals Red Hurricanes Osaka on Saturday 12 December.