Liebenberg admits to doubts over leaving Tigers

Hanro Liebenberg admits he does not know if ending his long association with Leicester Tigers is the right decision but says he has to prioritise his young family.

The South African back row has made 145 appearances for the club since signing in 2019 but will return to Pretoria with the Bulls in the summer.

Liebenberg won the Premiership in the 2021-22 season, was made club captain for the following campaign and triumphed in the Prem Rugby Cup final this season as Leicester crushed Exeter 66-14.

It was announced last month he would depart Leicester at the end of the season after months of negotiations with head coach Geoff Parling.

"There was a lot going on in my head, making those decisions," Liebenberg told BBC Radio Leicester. "Me and Geoff spoke for a few months before I made a decision.

"He tried really hard to keep me and I wanted to stay but as life goes on, perspective changes and mine has shifted."

Liebenberg's wife Danielle gave birth to their son Lucah in November 2024 and is pregnant with their second child.

"I still love rugby and playing for this club but my family give me just as much joy," Liebenberg, 30, said.

"For me, I have to weigh up the pros and cons and I want to be close to family, raise my kid and be together at Christmas - small things like that."

He added: "I'm looking forward to the next challenge - there's still a lot to achieve - and hopefully we can do something [at Leicester] before I leave."

After seven seasons with Tigers, Liebenberg has no doubts he has developed as both a player and a person.

"I try to be my best every week, try to be consistent," he said. "I want to be a regular starter and you have to play well to be in the team. It's a good thing for a coach if you have someone you can rely on.

"I think I've definitely got better, from a 23-year-old to now. I've matured as a leader and as a person.

"When I got here, I had so many senior players above me to learn from - Ben Youngs, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole - and you'd be stupid not to learn from them."

Liebenberg could play his final European match for the club when Leicester travel to Bordeaux Begles in the Champions Cup on Sunday.

The French outfit are heavy favourites to progress to the quarter-finals but Liebenberg is comfortable with that state of affairs.

"It is a massive challenge," he said.

"You don't really know how to prepare for them because they don't play typical rugby. You have to make it as structured as possible. It's one we're looking forward to.

"Through all the years I've been here, Tigers have always been an underdog. We prefer that underdog title.

"I won't say we've got nothing to lose but the pressure is definitely more on them than us."