Several Springboks could be in action when the Chiefs and Blues will travel to Japan in February for Super Rugby preparation games against top local teams.
The Blues will play Cheslin Kolbe’s new team Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo on February 3 and the Chiefs take on the Wild Knights, who have Damian de Allende on their books, the next day in Saitama.
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The following weekend the Kubota Spears Funabashi, who recently signed All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, host the Chiefs with Yokohama Canon Eagles – who contract Springboks Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel – tackling the Blues.
“Get ready for world-class rugby,” said Genichi Tamatsuka, chairman of Japan’s Rugby League One competition.
“This marks the realisation of our plan to host matches between top-level club teams and League One teams.”
In May rugby chiefs in Japan and New Zealand signed a wide-ranging deal to see their national teams play each other more.
The agreement included plans for New Zealand’s franchise teams to play Japanese sides outside the Super Rugby season.
The new Super Rugby campaign kicks off on February 23 when the Chiefs host defending champions the Crusaders.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP