Japan League One

Saffas Abroad: Leyds on the double

Dillyn Leyds scored two tries as La Rochelle shot up the standings in France, while Bok pair Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager stayed unbeaten in Japan.

Saffas Abroad: Lood on the double in Japan

Lood de Jager dotted down to help Wild Knights stay unbeaten in Japan’s League One, while a Springbok flank scored as Montpellier climbed out of the Top 14 relegation zone.

South Africa's flanker Kwagga Smith reacts at the end of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on September 23, 2023.

Boks suffer Kwagga blow

The Springboks look set to be without Kwagga Smith for the July Test series after the loose forward suffered a tendon injury while playing in Japan.

TOKYO, JAPAN - MAY 13: Lood de Jager of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights runs with the ball during the League One Playoff semi final match Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and Yokohama Canon Eagles at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground on May 13, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Watch: Lood back with a bang!

Lood de Jager marked his return to action with a try after the Springbok lock recovered from the heart issue that prevented him from playing at the 2023 World Cup.

Saffas Abroad: Kolbe repeats 2019 heroics

Cheslin Kolbe scored a replica of his 2019 World Cup final try in Japan, while a plethora of South Africans dotted down in the Champions and Challenge Cups.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 15: Lood de Jager of South Africa reflects on defeat in The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Lood back in Japan action

Springbok lock Lood de Jager will make his return from a heart issue when he starts for Japanese club the Wild Knights on Saturday.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Handre Pollard of Leicester Tigers kicks the ball upfield during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Leicester, England.

Saffas Abroad: Pollard bests Farrell, again

Handre Pollard continued his successful streak against Owen Farrell in the Premiership, while Cheslin Kolbe dotted down for his first try of the season in Japan.

TOKYO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 10: Cheslin Kolbe of Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath is tackled by Takeo Suenaga (R) and Bernard Foley (bottom) of Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay during the NTT Japan Rugby League One match between Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay and Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground on December 10, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.

Saffas in Japan: Kolbe steals the show

Cheslin Kolbe wasted little time in adapting to his new surroundings with a sensational debut performance in the opening round of Japan’s Division One.

Pieter-Steph du Toit of South Africa and Kwagga Smith of South Africa during the 2022 Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina held at Kings Park in Durban on 24 September 2022

Boks win big in Japan

Four Springboks, including Player of the Season Kwagga Smith, were included in the Best Fifteen of Japan’s League One.

TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 19: Malcolm Marx of Kubota Spears celebrates with teammates after make a try during the League One match between Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay and MHI Sagamihara Dynaboars at Edogawa Athletics Stadium on February 19, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (

Joy and pain for Boks in Japan

Malcolm Marx celebrated, while fellow Boks Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager were devastated as Kubota Spears beat the Wild Knights in Saturday’s Japanese league final.