It was a powerful opening weekend for the Springbok contingent in Japan Rugby League One.
Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx were all prominent for their respective clubs, underlining the growing South African influence in Japan’s top flight.
The shock result of the round came in Saitama, where the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights demolished defending champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 46-0, and did so without Springbok stars Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager.
Elsewhere, it was a mixed afternoon for the Springboks involved in the Yokohama Canon Eagles’ 39-27 defeat to the Shizuoka BlueRevs, the team that features Kwagga Smith, although the Bok loose forward did not take the field.
Jesse Kriel and Faf de Klerk both started for the Eagles, with De Klerk crossing for a try before suffering another injury setback and leaving the field before half-time. The veteran scrumhalf has endured a frustrating spell in Japan, with injuries limiting his availability over consecutive seasons.
There was better news for Marx, who played a key role in the Kubota Spears’ gritty 33-28 victory over the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. The World Rugby Player of the Year featured deep into the second half as his side held on despite being reduced to 14 men following a red card to lock Akira Ieremia.
Kolbe was at his electric best for Tokyo Sungoliath, helping overturn a half-time deficit as they ran away to a 29-15 win over the Black Rams Tokyo. The Bok winger and former Wallaby Sean McMahon both crossed as Sungoliath powered through the second half.
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Bok pivot Manie Libbok had a strong first outing for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in Division 2, showing some classy touches in their convincing 40-14 win over the Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.
World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am made his long-awaited tournament debut for Mitsubishi Dynaboars, but it ended in heartbreak as they fell 27-24 to Jasper Wiese’s Urayasu D-Rocks. Wiese came off the bench early and was held up over the line.
Rounding off a strong Bok showing, Pieter-Steph du Toit marked his return to action for Toyota Verblitz – his first appearance since May 2024 – with a try and a try assist in a 44-33 win over Honda Heat. Du Toit lined up in the second row, while Franco Mostert and Pablo Matera started on the flanks for the beaten side.
Photo: @sungoliath/X
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