The European clubs paused for the launch round of the 2025 Six Nations championship, but there where several South Africans in action for Japanese clubs.
Japan League OneBok lock Lood de Jager continued his return from injury as he scored a try for Saitama Wild Knights in their 53-26 thumping of Jasper Wiese’s Urayusu D-Rocks. Wiese also crossed the whitewash for his side and Damien de Allende continued his fine form for the table-topping Wild Knights.
Lood de Jager has scored on his return for @Panasonic_WK
Welcome back!#SaffasAbroad #rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/h6ZDedgUlI
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) February 1, 2025
Double World Cup winners Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel helped the Yokohama Canon Eagles to a narrow 24-20 win against Toyota Verblitz. Kriel scored for the third match in a row, while Adre Smith made his debut off the bench for Verblitz.
Jesse Kriel scoring his 4th try of the season for @Canon_Eagles #SaffasAbroad #rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/qtMbTVT1dM
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) February 1, 2025
Kwagga Smith captained Shizuoka Blue Revs as they suffered a 33-14 defeat to Suntory Sungoliath. Former Lions utility back Sylvain Mahuza came off the bench in the second half for Blue Revs.
Kurt-Lee Arendse ran out at fullback for Mitsubishi Dynaboars and was joined in the starting lineup by Walt Steenkamp in their 40-12 defeat at home to Malcolm Marx’s Kubota Spears. Marx came off the bench while compatriots David Bulbring, Merwe Olivier and Rikus Pretorius all started for Spears.
Bok stalwart Franco Mostert lined up for Honda Heat in their 35-12 defeat to Toshiba Brave Lupus. Mostert was replaced by Janko Swanepoel in the second half.
Former Bulls loose forward Willie Potgieter started for Kobelco Kobe Steelers in their 44-15 over Black Rams.
Photo: Koki Nagahama/Getty Images
