Hanro Liebenberg bids farewell to Bulls

Cape Town - English club Leicester Tigers have agreed terms to bring Bulls back-rower Hanro Liebenberg to Welford Road.

According to the Leicester Mercury website, after playing his youth-team rugby at Boland, Liebenberg moved to Pretoria to play in the Currie Cup with the Blues Bulls and earned his first selection for the Bulls in 2015.

He also followed in his brother Wiaan’s footsteps by captaining South Africa Under-20s at the World Junior Championships.

Confirmation of Liebenberg's departure is yet another blow to the Bulls who are set to be without Jesse Kriel, Jason Jenkins, RG Snyman and Duane Vermeulen (all to Japan), Handre Pollard (Montpellier), Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) and Eli Snyman (Treviso) next season.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Hanro is an aggressive ball-carrier and a physical player around the field, in the best traditions of South African back-rows.

“He has gained a good level of experience already for a 23-year-old and has good leadership qualities too.

“His best years in the game should still be ahead of him and we look forward to welcoming him for next season.”

Liebenberg added: “The opportunity to play in the Gallagher Premiership is one I am very excited about and to do it at a club of Leicester’s tradition and standing is a huge honour.

“The Tigers fans are well known around the world as some of the best in rugby and I am looking forward to playing at Welford Road in front of them, alongside my new team-mates.

“There is quality across the squad and I’m excited about making my contribution to the team under the guidance of Geordan Murphy and the coaching staff at Tigers.”

Liebenberg is the 12th addition to the Leicester squad ahead of the 2019/20 season and seventh new face in the forward pack alongside Jordan Taufua, Tomas Lavanini, Nephi Leatigaga, Calum Green, Charlie Clare and Jordan Coghlan.

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The club has agreed terms with South African back-rower Hanro Liebenberg ahead of the 2019/20 season.

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— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) July 2, 2019