Hanro Liebenberg opens up on the anguishing decision to leave Leicester

Homeward-bound Hanro Liebenberg admits the outpouring of love from Leicester fans made him question his decision to leave the club and return to the Bulls this summer.

The 30-year-old loose forward, who is approaching 150 club appearances, has made a huge contribution in the seven years he’s been at the Tigers and become a fan favourite in the process.

However, Liebenberg felt the time was right for him and his wife Danielle and son Lucah to go back to South Africa, although a lot of soul-searching had to be done before making his decision public.

“There was a lot going on in my head at that time, making those decisions; me and Geoff spoke probably for a few months before I actually made a decision. He tried really hard to keep me, and I really wanted to stay, but I think, at this point, as life goes on, your perspective changes, especially when kids get involved,” said Liebenberg.

“I still love rugby; I still love playing; I still love playing for this club. But my family also give me just as much joy. So, for me, at that time, I had to weigh up the pros and cons, and I want to be close to family, raise my kid, with family, be together at Christmas, small things like that.

“I don’t know if it’s the right decision. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t but I think we’ll make it be the right one, you know, once we’ve gone back to SA.

“But it hasn’t been an easy one, I can tell you that. Me and the Mrs have had quite a few fights, because she said, ‘If you’re saying, I’ll go back home’.

“I’m looking forward to the next challenge, but there’s still a lot to achieve, and hopefully we can do something before we leave here,” he added.

“This has become home for me, like a home away from home, obviously, and I’ve really loved my time here.

“It’s been challenging as well. I mean, I’ve been here seven seasons and I had six different head coaches. So, it hasn’t always been the easiest, but there was plenty of highs and plenty of lows, as well.”

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Investec Champions Cup

Bordeaux

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Leicester

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As with most departing players, it’s the people he’s met that he’ll miss the most, especially the fans, who’ve always appreciated his consistency and 100 per cent commitment to the cause.

“The response I got was unbelievable. It made me second guess my decision to be honest,” he admitted.

“You won’t get this anywhere else in the world, the fans, with how loyal they are. Through the ups and downs, they’ll stick with you whatever.”

Liebenberg has recently had a run of games at lock, playing in the row for the first time since April 2019, and the switch of positions is starting to grow on him.

“We’ve obviously picked up a few injuries at lock, and it’s also good for Geoff to have that versatility because I can always move back to the back row if needed,” he said ahead of Leicester’s daunting Champions Cup trip to Bordeaux.

“You definitely hit a lot more rucks, make a few more tackles, don’t get the ball in space that often. But it is something to get used to it, and I’m starting to enjoy it, so I’ll be there for as long as they need me.”