Springboks lock Ruan Nortjé joins Kubota Spears

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 round of the Nations Championship on Saturday.

“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to join Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay this coming season,” said the 2025 Rugby Championship winner.

“It will be a massive honour for me and a dream come true to represent the club and the great fans of the orange army. I can’t wait to learn from everyone and give as much as I can to the team. “I am really excited for the new chapter for my family and I and can’t wait to experience the culture and meet the amazing people of Japan. Thank you again for the opportunity that was given to me I will be forever grateful!”

© Bulls

Nortjé announced his Bulls departure in April after inking a deal to play his club rugby outside of his homeland for the first time.

Frans Ludeke’s perennial title contenders Kubota lost the League One final 22-13 to Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers earlier this month.

The addition of Nortjé completes their line-up of Category C (capped by a country other than Japan) players with each Japanese team permitted to field a maximum of three marquee Test rugby stars.

Nortjé takes the spot vacated by former Wallabies international Bernard Foley who is understood to be mulling over several offers to return to Super Rugby.

Kubota’s latest South African signing, international colleague and World Player of The Year Malcolm Marx and ex-All Black Shaun Stevenson complete an impressive trio of Category C players at the Funabashi-based club.

RugbyJP.com exclusively revealed earlier this month that Stevenson will be switching his allegiance to Samoa after completing his three-year stand down period in August.