How Springboks' success might fuel Japan exodus

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Several Springboks squad members who secured thrilling wins over New Zealand at Johannesburg and Cape Town in the last week are Japan-bound.

While three other Bok regulars, Yokohama Eagles scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, Saitama Wild Knights lock Lood de Jager and
his Mie Heat counterpart Francois Mostert, was unavailable for the series due to injury.

The Springboks lift the Freedom Cup trophy after two consecutive wins (31-27 and 18-12) over the old foe at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium.

“The performance of the players is evidence of how the rising level of club play in Japan is providing perfect preparation for test players of all countries,” Japan Rugby League One chairman Genichi Tamatsuka explained.

“Clubs in Japan Rugby League One are exceptional in how they manage their players physically while the competition
schedule, which includes bye rounds, ensures the players are at their best for their clubs and ready to go when their countries call.”

🤯📊Malcolm Marx’s latest record: https://t.co/8MTwwoI9gn#Rugby365 #Springboks pic.twitter.com/nYpBzpqk8u

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 9, 2024

Last year’s World Cup Final saw 12 of the 30 players who started the match – representing 40 percent of the run
on teams – later play the League One season.

Tokyo Sungoliath wing Cheslin Kolbe, Eagles centre Jesse Kriel, his Wild Knights counterpart Damien de Allende, Toyota Verblitz utility forward Pieter Steph du Toit, Shizuoka Blue Revs loose forward Kwagga Smith, Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay hooker Malcolm Marx and next season’s newcomer, Uryasu D-Rocks loose forward Jasper Wiese, all featured for the Springboks in their historic back-to-back wins against the All Blacks.

Although wing Marika Koroibete (Wild Knights) is the only current Wallaby representative based in Japan, All Blacks
utility back Beauden Barrett (Verblitz) and loose forward Ardie Savea (Kobelco Kobe Steelers) played last season, while former captain Sam Cane is returning to Sungoliath for the 2024-25 campaign.

Scrumhalf TJ Perenara, who previously played for Red Hurricanes Osaka, is linking up with Black Rams Tokyo.

Mie Heat loose forward Pablo Matera inspired Argentina to August’s historic 38-30 win over the All Blacks in Wellington.

Matera, who was captaining his country for the first time since 2021, was the outstanding player from either side in Los Pumas’ Rugby Championship opener, just a few weeks after he had played his 100th test for Argentina during a win over France.

Recently it has been confirmed that Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse will join Japan for five months as part of a sabbatical that the Bulls granted him.

The Bulls revealed that Arendse will join the Sagamihara DynaBoards in Japan from December until April 2025.