Leicester Tigers' Hanro Liebenberg Heads Back to South Africa's Bulls
Back row Hanro Liebenberg will leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the season to rejoin South African side the Bulls. The 30-year-old has been a significant part of Leicester's journey, contributing to their Premiership title victory in 2022 and participating in 141 games for the club, scoring 31 tries. Head coach Geoff Parling confirmed that discussions had been ongoing for several months, noting that Liebenberg's decision stemmed from family reasons. Parling expressed his disappointment, stating, "We would have loved him to stay - I think he would have loved to stay from a rugby point of view." He acknowledged the arrival of Aaron Wainwright as a planned replacement, emphasizing Liebenberg's positive influence on the team. As Leicester Tigers prepare for their upcoming match against Bath in the Prem Rugby Cup semi-finals on Sunday, they remain in playoff contention, having won seven of their 10 games this season. Liebenberg reflected on his time at Leicester, stating, "This decision has been one of the toughest decisions of my career. I love this place and everyone has given me so much." He highlighted the importance of the club and its fans, saying, "What I will always remember is the people, the fans. They have always had my back." He hopes to leave the club in a better position than when he arrived, a sentiment that underscores his commitment to the Tigers.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-03