Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has confirmed his interest in Kubota Spears hooker Malcolm Marx and Shizuoka Blue Revs captain Kwagga Smith. The former Urayasu D-Rocks boss revealed that both Springboks stars and former Lions teammates are on his wish list for the South African URC side who opened their season with a comprehensive 47-13 win away against Zebre on Saturday. Ackermann, who was replaced at Urayasu by Greig Laidlaw in 2024 despite leading the Chiba-based team to

Springboks lock Ruan Nortjé has joined countryman Malcolm Marx at League One runners-up Kubota Spears, the Japanese club announced on Tuesday. The 6ft 7in second row, 27, arrives from URC side the Bulls and will link up with his new team following the conclusion of the Nations Championship in November. Nortjé, who has won 18 caps in the green and gold after making his Test debut in 2022 against Wales, was named on Monday in Rassie Erasmus’ side to face England in the opening