Stormers to have a chat with Manie

Director of rugby John Dobson is confident that Springboks Manie Libbok and Ben-Jason Dixon both still have a future at the Stormers.

Libbok has been linked with a permanent move to Japanese club Kintetsu Liners next season, after earlier reports of a sabbatical, following the emergence of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as the first-choice flyhalf for the Cape outfit.

Flanker Dixon, meanwhile, has a dispute with the Stormers that is heading for arbitration.

Speaking after last week’s Vodacom URC win against Dragons at Cape Town Stadium, Dobson addressed the delicate situations.

“Manie, there’s been talk of a sabbatical. I suppose the first conversation was to get him back on the field [after his knee injury] and then have a chat to him,” said Dobson, who confirmed that Libbok will face Cardiff in Cape Town on Friday night.

“I don’t want to sit here and say, ‘Manie’s definitely staying.’ It’s tricky. 

“We gave Adre Smith a sabbatical and what it allows, in those situations, is it allows him to earn money that can change his life and also extend with the Stormers, and extend at a rate that we can probably afford.

“Because our model of ownership is a little bit different perhaps to some of the other big franchises.

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“You’re not going to say [no] if Manie has a chance to change his life financially… He’s done so much good for us, been a big part of this franchise, the success we’ve had over the last few years,” the Stormers chief added.

“I don’t think we’ll say no to that. We haven’t literally sat with Manie, his agent and said ‘let’s try and work out a plan’.

“He is signed, like Sacha, to 2027 and there is of course a management issue between Sacha and Manie. We’ve avoided it this year by injury but we don’t always want it to be like that. There’ll probably be a couple of conversations now that’ll happen.

“He will play next Friday, and he’ll have a role to play for us in the playoffs.”

The five-Test Dixon is currently sidelined with a wrist injury and seeking clarification on a contract clause potentially allowing him to explore opportunities abroad should his Bok prospects diminish.

“They [Dixon’s representatives] requested arbitration on a clause in his contract. I’m absolutely convinced BJ will be staying and playing for us. Knowing BJ, he’s a quality oke, he’ll play,” Dobson said.

“That’s almost a technicality in a contract that we didn’t get agreement on. But BJ’s personality is to give 100% for the Stormers and I’m convinced he’ll stay.

“It’s a pity that it’s gone this far, [airing] the washing in public. BJ I’m sure will stay at the Stormers. Absolutely sure.”

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