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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


Yokohama’s Faf de Klerk returns for Springboks against the All Blacks
Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk has been added to the Springbok’s squad for their back-to-back Rugby Championship Test...

Mark Pickering
Aug 31, 20251 min read


Japan confirms Springboks game at Wembley on 1 November
The Japan Rugby Football Union has confirmed a long-rumoured Test match against back-to-back world champions South Africa at London’s...

Mark Pickering
Aug 20, 20252 min read


Manie Libbok’s new club’s pitch is in a dire state
South African World Cup winner Manie Libbok’s new club Kintetsu Liners are in a race against time to fix their damaged pitch in time for...

Mark Pickering
Aug 9, 20252 min read


Yokohama’s Faf de Klerk left out of Boks squad
Yokohama Canon Eagles’ double World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk has been overlooked for South Africa’s 37-man squad for the first...

Mark Pickering
Jul 23, 20252 min read


World Cup winner and ex-All Black join division two side
Japanese division two side Hanazono Kintetsu Liners have announced the arrival of World Cup-winning fly-half Manie Libbok and ex-All...

Mark Pickering
Jul 22, 20252 min read


My time in Japan was amazing - Kurt-Lee Arendse
Former Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars star Kurt-Lee Arendse has hailed his League One experience and believes he’s a better player...

Mark Pickering
Jul 18, 20252 min read


Returning Pieter-Steph du Toit starts for Boks v Italy
Toyotz Verblitz’s Pieter-Steph du Toit has been named in South Africa’s new-look starting line-up to face Italy in his first appearance...

Mark Pickering
Jul 9, 20252 min read


Faf de Klerk returns to Boks squad v Italy
Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk has been named among the replacements for the Springboks' Test match against Italy at...

Mark Pickering
Jul 1, 20252 min read


Springboks pick 10 League One stars for summer Tests
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has included 10 Japan-based League One stars in his 54-man squad for their summer internationals. SA...

Mark Pickering
Jun 5, 20253 min read


EXCLUSIVE - Pieter-Steph du Toit to miss Toyota's run-in
World Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has returned to Japan and club duty with relegation candidates Toyota Verblitz but will not...

Mark Pickering
May 1, 20252 min read


EXCLUSIVE: Nohamba retains hopes of Boks call-up
Shizuoka Blue Revs scrum-half Sanele Nohamba still has hopes of donning a Springboks jersey after leaving his homeland to take up a...

Mark Pickering
Apr 19, 20252 min read


League One stars as viral toy figures
RugbyJP transformed four League One stars into toy figures in the latest online AI trend. These images were created using AI. Which one...

Mark Pickering
Apr 10, 20251 min read


Faf de Klerk returns to SA for surgery
Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk has returned home to South Africa to undergo surgery on his right hand. The two-time World...

Mark Pickering
Mar 24, 20252 min read


Pieter-Steph du Toit set to return to Toyota in April
World Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to return to Japan in mid-April as he steps up his recover from shoulder surgery....

Mark Pickering
Mar 21, 20252 min read


EXCLUSIVE - Pieter-Steph du Toit deregistered by Toyota Verblitz
World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has been deregistered by Toyota Verblitz after undergoing shoulder surgery in South...

Mark Pickering
Jan 28, 20252 min read


Injury update on Pieter-Steph du Toit
World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has undergone shoulder surgery in South Africa and will be sidelined until at least...

Mark Pickering
Jan 22, 20252 min read
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