South Africa | RugbyJP

All Posts
News

Yokohama’s Faf de Klerk returns to South Africa

Yokohama Canon Eagles’ Springboks star Faf de Klerk has returned to South Africa to receive treatment after suffering a serious injury in the round one game against Shizuoka Blue Revs on 14 December. The 34-year-old double World Cup winner went down just 32 minutes into the new season after attempting a tackle on wing Valynce Te Whare and was replaced 90 seconds later by Kazufumi Yamasuga. Yokohama announced earlier this week that their injury-hit scrum-half, who has been lin

Mark Pickering

Dec 25, 20252 min read

4 reasons to watch Suntory v Toyota on Premier Sports (UK)

Two of Japan Rugby League One’s heavy-hitters collide in round two in a star-studded showdown between Steve Hansen’s Toyota Verblitz and ‘Brighton Miracle’ number 10-turned head coach Kosei Ono’s Suntory Sungoliath at the 49,970-capacity Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday. The game will air live in the UK on Premier Sports from 5.25am (KO 5.30am) with English commentary. RugbyJP.com has four reasons why the anticipated clash, which has a habit of producing a nail-biting and high

Mark Pickering

Dec 19, 20256 min read

Right time to return to Japan - Lukhanyo Am

South Africa’s double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am believes the time was right for him to return to Japan as he aims to force his way back into Rassie Erasmus’ plans next year. Am, 32, had a brief spell with Kobe Steelers in the augural season in 2022, scoring three tries in six appearances. The vastly-experienced centre, who can also play on the wing, has fallen down the Springboks’ pecking order this year with a youth movement leading to exciting talents such as Canan Moodi

Mark Pickering

Dec 9, 20252 min read

Rassie Erasmus: We won’t pick young guys in Japan

South Africa’s two-time World Cup-winning head coach Rassie Erasmus has ruled out picking young players who ply their trade in the Japan’s League One competition. Erasmus, who signed a contract extension on Friday through to 2031, was speaking online during a post-World Cup draw press conference. The Springboks’ all-conquering squad has a core group of Japan-based players which has the full support of the former South Africa captain. Marx in action for Kubota v Saitama - © JR

Mark Pickering

Dec 6, 20252 min read

Carter, Mo’unga, Cooper, Libbok: Meet the S&C guru behind rugby’s elite No.10s

Dan Carter’s discipline. Richie Mo’unga’s energy. Quade Cooper’s edge. Kintetsu Liners’ head strength and conditioning coach Takeshi Sakaguchi has trained elite number 10’s and he’s just started working with Springboks Manie Libbok. In this exclusive RugbyJP.com interview, Sakaguchi explains how Japanese rugby is evolving and why consistency, detail and mindset define world-class players. Sakaguchi has established himself as a go-to authority on strength and conditioning i

Mark Pickering

Dec 5, 20257 min read

Faf de Klerk in 'great shape' ahead of pre-season start

South Africa’s double World Cup winner Faf de Klerk returns to action for Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday for the first time since sustaining a hand injury on League one duty in March. The 34-year-old, who last featured for his country in July’s win over Georgia, was left out of the Springboks’ Autumn tour squad despite Rassie Erasmus stating that the veteran scrum-half remains firmly in their plans. Erasmus felt that the Mbombela native would be better served getting regul

Mark Pickering

Nov 27, 20252 min read

Jesse Kriel named as Yokohama’s first non-Japanese captain

Springboks ace Jesse Kriel has spoken of his pride after being named as Yokohama Canon Eagles’ first non-Japanese captain. The 31-year-old, who joined the club in 2020 and has made 56 League One appearances, takes over the role from former Japan international and his midfield partner Yusuke Kajimura. Double World Cup winner Kriel scored nine tries in 16 appearances last season as Yokohama underperformed, missing the play-offs with an eighth-place finish. Head coach Keisuke

Mark Pickering

Nov 6, 20252 min read

Boks star Lukhanyo Am to join Mitsubishi Dynaboars

South Africa’s double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am is set to join Glenn Delaney’s division one outfit Mitsubishi Dynaboars. Sharks star Am, 31, who is currently on the standby list for his country’s end-of-year tour, can play at outside-centre and on the wing and returns to Japan after a brief spell with Kobe Steelers in 2022 where he scored three tries in six appears. The Dynaboars released a video on Wednesday morning teasing a new signing. It briefly shows Am in action

Mark Pickering

Nov 5, 20251 min read

I’m excited to work with world-class Libbok – Will Genia

Wallabies legend Will Genia is relishing working with Springboks star Manie Libbok as he makes the transition into coaching alongside his long-time teammate Quade Cooper at division two side Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. Genia, who announced his retirement in August, and his ex-half-back partner Quade Cooper, both, 37, rejoined the promotion-chasing Liners as coaches in July after six seasons playing for the Osaka-based club. Papua New Guinea-born Genia is working as a skills

Mark Pickering

Nov 2, 20253 min read

Faf de Klerk is in our plans - Rassie Erasmus

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk remains in his plans despite leaving the double World Cup-winning veteran out of his Autumn Nations squad. The Rugby Championship winners open their end-of-year tour against Eddie Jones’ Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. Erasmus has picked seven-Japan based players in his starting line-up with a further two League One representatives among the replacements while

Mark Pickering

Oct 30, 20252 min read