Clubs ‘go to war’ over Springboks star’s services, Bulls sack coaching duo and Faf de Klerk primed for Sharks return
Springboks Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel and Bulls assistant coach Andries Bekker.
Springboks duo Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel have been linked with moves away from Japan Rugby League One club the Canon Eagles.
According to reports, the double Rugby World Cup-winning pair’s contracts expire at the end of the current season and could leave the Japanese club for new pastures.
Meanwhile, there have reportedly been further changes at Loftus.
Faf lined up by PREM Rugby clubs
Rugby Pass reports that De Klerk could return to PREM Rugby with his former club Sale Sharks and the Newcastle Red Bulls are likely to enter the race for his services.
Newcastle have started to splash the cash invested by the Red Bulls, announcing the signing of All Blacks snub Hoskins Sotutu, who will join the side after the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 34-year-old could link up with the now England-qualified back-rower at Newcastle in a move that could reignite his Springboks career. The experienced scrum-half fell down Rassie Erasmus’ pecking order this year, featuring just twice for South Africa.
While the Bok boss has repeatedly stated that De Klerk has not been discarded and remains in the mix, he faces an uphill battle to cement his place as one of the best number nines in the country.
However, that has been hindered by his latest injury setback, which is set to rule him out for the majority of the Japanese season.
Newcastle are understood to be in the market for a scrum-half, having been repeatedly linked with All Blacks and Blues halfback Finlay Christie. Sale Sharks have also been linked with a move for Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak.
Jesse Kriel on the move?
Fellow Bok Kriel could join De Klerk in leaving the Eagles, as the Daily Mail reports that PREM and Top14 clubs are set to go to war over his signature.
The report states that the 67th Springboks captain’s contract expires at the end of the season could make the move to Europe before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
No clubs were named in the report, but considering his pedigree and recent international form, it would not be surprising to see heavyweight teams enter the race for his services.
The 31-year-old made history ahead of the 2025/26 season as he was unveiled as the Canon Eagles, the club’s first non-Japanese skipper in its history.
Bulls coaches dismissed
The Bulls’ lacklustre start to the Johan Ackermann era has claimed its first two victims in assistant coaches Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw.
According to Rapport, the duo were informed on Tuesday that they must clear their offices at Loftus Versfeld with Ackermann now able to hire new assistants, having inherited those who worked under Jake White.
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It is understood that lineout coach Bekker and backs coach Rossouw’s contracts expired at the end of the season and were set to retain their positions until then, with the new Bulls boss then deciding whether to keep them on or not.
However, after five straight defeats, the union has pulled the trigger. The report adds that Ackermann will need to hire a replacement for Rossouw, but may fulfil Bekker’s duties himself.
