Yokohama’s Faf de Klerk returns to South Africa

Yokohama Canon Eagles’ Springboks star Faf de Klerk has returned to South Africa to recieve 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their injury-hit scrum-half, who has been linked with a return to the Prem at the end of the season, has temporarily withdrawn from the competition for the third season in a row.

RugbyJP can reveal that de Klerk currently remains registered by his club to play this season. He would need to be de-registered if Yokohama elects to bring in a temporary replacement who has Test match experience for a country other than Japan.

Former Sale Sharks stalwart de Klerk signed off with a video message to the Yokohama fans without sharing specific details about his injury.  

Faf de Klerk in action against Shizuoka - © JRLO

“Once again, I feel very sad to be leaving and disappointed,” said the Mpumalanga native who missed the closing rounds of last season due to a hand injury.

“I felt I really worked hard to come back and be ready for this season but I'm going back to make sure I get in the best condition possible to come back, join the team again and support if I'm not playing.

“I'll be back as soon as possible to see all the supporters and players and hopefully join the last few games.”

The 18-round regular season concludes on 9 May for Yokohama when they host Shizuoka in the return fixture.

New head coach Leon MacDonald’s side also suffered defeat in round two to arch-rivals Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars to leave them winless going into Sunday’s trip to Tokyo to host champions Toshiba Brave Lupus.

Ex-All Black MacDonald, who was briefly an assistant coach for his country under Scott Robertson in 2024 before resigning, succeeded Keisuke Sawaki in the role after the latter was a casualty of their failure to secure a top-six play-off spot last term.

New club captain Jesse Kriel, the first non-Japanese captain in their history, also missed the defeat in the Kanagawa derby to Lukhanyo Am’s Dynaboars. Kriel, de Klerk and Italian international Dino Lamb are the three Category C (Test players for a country other than Japan) names on their books this season.

Yokohama are set to name their team to face Toshiba on Friday afternoon as they look to secure their first win of the new campaign.

Stay tuned to RugbyJP for on-site coverage of Yokohama v Toshiba on Sunday