Marx out, Kolbe's farewell and De Jager's return headline Japan finale

PREVIEW: The Japan Rugby League One season reaches its climax this weekend, but South African rugby fans will be watching with mixed emotions after Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the title decider through injury.

Marx’s absence is a massive blow for Kubota Spears, who take on Kobe Steelers in Sunday’s championship final. The Springbok star suffered a bicep injury during last weekend’s dramatic semifinal victory over Saitama Wild Knights, ending his season just one match short of another shot at silverware.

Despite the disappointment, South Africans will still have plenty to keep an eye on across the league’s final weekend, with no fewer than eight South Africans involved in the two showpiece matches.

There is also South African representation in the coaching box, with Frans Ludeke once again guiding Kubota Spears into a League One final. The veteran coach has been one of the competition’s most successful figures since arriving in Japan, leading the Spears to their maiden national title in 2023 and establishing them as one of the country’s powerhouse clubs.

A second championship in four seasons would further cement Ludeke’s legacy in Japanese rugby and provide a fitting farewell gift for departing playmaker Bernard Foley.

The championship final also features three South Africans in Kubota colours. Former Grey College stars Merwe Olivier and Rikus Pretorius both start for the Spears, while veteran loose forward Pieter “Lappies” Labuschagne is set to make his final appearance for the club from the bench.

Kubota will be looking to send former Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley off in style. The veteran playmaker, who is retiring after the final, heads into his last match as the competition’s leading points scorer since the inception of League One in 2022 and has guided the Spears to their third final in four seasons.

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Standing in their way is a Kobe side packed with international quality. Former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is chasing his first club title since 2013 before returning to New Zealand, while All Blacks stars Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown form the backbone of a side that finished top of the standings and demolished Tokyo Sungoliath 69-23 in the semifinals.

Kubota’s task has become considerably harder following the loss of Marx and South African-born Japan international Tyler Paul. The tireless loose forward has been one of the competition’s standout performers, leading all Division One players with 293 tackles this season.

Saturday’s third-place playoff also carries a strong South African flavour.

The match will mark the final appearance for Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe in Tokyo Sungoliath colours. The electrifying back will make his 44th and last appearance for the club, bringing the curtain down on a three-year spell that yielded 23 tries and 321 points.

Kolbe enters the match as the league’s leading points scorer this season and will be eager to bow out on a winning note after Sungoliath’s disappointing semifinal defeat.

Across the field, fellow Springbok Lood de Jager is set for a welcome return for the Wild Knights. The lock will make his first appearance of the season after recovering from hip surgery and ending a lengthy absence that dates back to his red card against France during South Africa’s November tour.

De Jager’s return is a timely boost for Saitama, who are attempting to recover from the heartbreak of a narrow semifinal defeat to Kubota.

With Marx absent, Kolbe bidding farewell, De Jager making his comeback and several South Africans chasing medals, the final weekend of Japan Rugby League One promises to deliver one last compelling chapter before attention turns back to the international season.