@Doogz happy to be a Wild Knight again
TRANSFER NEWS: Two Springboks who will face off against Wales on Saturday have confirmed their new team.
World Cup-winning lock Lodewyk de Jager and Boks teammate Damian de Allende (also a 2019 World Cup winner) have confirmed their move to the Wild Knights in Japan.
It will be De Allende’s second stint with the Japanese outfit, having had a brief stint with them in 2019 – before joining up with Irish province Munster in 2020.
De Jager joins from the Sale Sharks in England’s Premiership[ for his first stint in Japan.
“I am very happy to be coming back to Japan and the Wild Knights,” De Allende said in a media release issued by the club.
“I really enjoyed my season in 2019-2020 before it was cut short because of covid.
“It has been great to follow the team and see how well they played, also to see the Wild Knights win the Japanese competition two years in a row.
“I am excited to see some of my old teammates and I hope I can be a good influence on the team and keep the winning streak going.”
He was welcomed by former teammate Kenki Fukuoka.
Welcome back @Doogz !🎉
彼とはもっと一緒に試合に出てみたかったなぁ…
しかも他にもまた強烈なメンバー😂
来季のワイルドナイツも楽しみです☺️ https://t.co/PTcAVKc0cs— Kenki Fukuoka/福岡 堅樹 (@kenki11) July 1, 2022
“Welcome back @Doogz,” Fukuoka said, adding: ” I wanted to play more games with him.
“Besides, there are other strong members. I’m looking forward to next season’s Wild Knights.”
De Jager said he was “excited” to be joining the Saitama-based team.
“They are the team with tremendous pedigree and a professional environment with world class facilities,” De Jager said.
“I always want to improve as a player, and I feel the Wild Knights is the perfect place for me to do so.
“I have always enjoyed Japan and have a fondness for the culture and the people,” he said of playing at the 2019 World Cup.
“I look forward to working with my new teammates and coaches to improve my game and hopefully contribute towards the Wild Knights being successful.”
also joining them is New Zealander Liam Mitchell, who is moving from Zebre in the United Rugby Championship.
The Wild Knights are coached by former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans.
【お知らせ】
埼玉パナソニックワイルドナイツより、2022年度の新加入選手（追加）をお知らせいたします。↓詳細はコチラ↓https://t.co/SvEn7Nv0eY#LooddeJager#LiamMitchel#DamiandeAllende#埼玉ワイルドナイツ
— 埼玉ワイルドナイツ公式 (@Panasonic_WK) July 1, 2022
