Rugby Transfers: Springbok heads to Japan, Nawaqanitawase’s future confirmed while Glasgow target Rassie snub
Split image of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Luke McGrath.
Our latest transfers and rumours update features the raid on Bulls players, a Wallabies star heading to Japan and the Sharks’ head coach update.
Bulls lose Kurt-Lee Arendse
World Cup-winning Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse looks set to leave the Bulls permanently with the speedster returning to Japan.
That is according to Afrikaans publication Rapport, which states that his performances during his stint last season with the Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars caught the eye of several Japanese clubs.
His spell in Asia last season was due to a sabbatical clause in his contract, but it now looks as if he will be departing Loftus permanently. While he isn’t short on options in Japan, the publication suggests that he will return to the Dynaboars.
A deadly finisher, Arendse has scored 23 tries in 30 Tests, the best Springboks try-scoring ratio in the modern era of players who have crossed for at least 10 five-pointers. Only Danie Gerber boasts a better ratio (19 tries in 24 Tests).
While he is undoubtedly a world-class talent, Rapport indicates that the Bulls will be weighing up their options, particularly with the winger bound to miss a ton of club rugby due to his international commitments as the Springboks prepare for the World Cup.
He may not be the only Bulls star out the door, according to the report with Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors lining up a swoop for David Kriel.
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It’s not just the Warriors who are keen on his services, the report adds, but the Bulls have made keeping him on the books a top priority.
“The message from the Bulls is that they will do everything in their power to keep Kriel,” the report states.
Kriel has been a consistent performer for the Pretoria-based outfit in recent seasons but his form has yet to be rewarded with a call-up to Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad.
They also hope to extend the contract of Junior Boks hooker Esethu Mnebelele by five years. The highly-rated rookie was on the Springboks radar last year, only for his call-up in November to be spoiled by injury. However, they are facing competition for his signature with the Stormers keen to lure him to Cape Town.
Staying with the Bulls, Rapport state that scrum-half Neil le Roux will be returning to Loftus from Bath ahead of next season after being used sparingly by Johann van Graan. He has featured prominently in Prem Rugby Cup matches since joining the club in 2024, playing just once in the Investec Champions Cup and twice in PREM Rugby.
While Le Roux’s return looks set in stone according to the report, Tinus de Beer’s Loftus homecoming has been stalled with Welsh outfit, the Dragons, are holding out. The 30-year-old represented the Bulls at youth level before breaking into the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup squads in 2015.
It’s hoped that he will return to the Bulls as cover for Handre Pollard following the retirement of Johan Goosen due to injury.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s next stop confirmed
After a spell in the NRL, Mark Nawaqanitawase has confirmed his return to rugby union, penning a deal with Japanese heavyweights, the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
The Australian cross-code international spent four years in union with the Waratahs and represented the Wallabies on 11 occasions, including at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, before switching codes and joining the Sydney Roosters.
“I am extremely honoured to join the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights from the 2026-27 season,” the 25-year-old said in a club statement.
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“The Wild Knights are a team with a rich history and tradition, and have achieved many successes. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to play for this team. I will do my best to contribute to the team’s victory and look forward to making new history as a member of the Wild Knights.”
He joins the likes of fellow Wallaby Marika Koroibete at the club, where Springboks Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager also ply their trade.
Nawaqanitawase’s move to Japan comes after Perpignan’s bigwigs confirmed that Jordan Petaia would also be heading in that direction at the end of the French season, but it is yet to be confirmed as to which team he will be joining.
One-cap Wallaby off to Leicester?
Staying with the Australians and Rugby Pass reports that Leicester Tigers could move for Western Force prop Harry Johnson-Holmes.
The PREM Rugby club are in the market for a tighthead prop with Joe Heyes becoming an England regular, and Geoff Parling is using his knowledge of Australian rugby to find his next target.
The 28-year-old prop is an experienced campaigner, having racked up 91 Super Rugby caps with the Waratahs, but missed the entirety of his debut season at the Force due to an ACL injury.
While he played the majority of his final season for the Waratahs at tighthead, Johnson-Holmes started his professional career on the other side of the scrum and could offer the Tigers cover on both the left and right-hand side of the hooker.
French club identifies Leinster star as Faf’s alternative
Perpignan’s President François Rivière stated last week that while the Top 14 club was interested in the services of double World Cup scrum-half Faf de Klerk, the Springbok ‘isn’t cheap’.
De Klerk’s deal with Japanese club, the Canon Eagles, expires at the end of the season and the Top 14 strugglers have held video conferences to discuss his future while it’s reported that Sale Sharks are also keen to lure him back to Manchester.
With all that in mind, Perpignan have formed a back-up plan, initiating preliminary talks with Leinster’s Luke McGrath, according to reports in L’Independent newspaper in France.
The 33-year-old has played well over 200 games for Leinster since his debut for the province in 2012, and last represented Ireland in 2019. He has also captained Leinster on several occasions, particularly in recent times.
Future of the Sharks’ coaching team
The post-John Plumtree coaching team at the Sharks is set to be officially confirmed later this month, according to Rapport with interim head coach JP Pietersen set to take on the job permanently.
Pietersen has overseen a significant improvement in results and performances since taking over from Plumtree last year and is held in high regard in Durban. Club owner Marco Mazzotti said that they would do what is in the best interests of Pietersen when making their final decision, and that may include a change in the assistants at his disposal.
Attack coach Dave Williams has been given the greenlight to consult with the USA Eagles in the build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but it is unclear what his future in Durban entails.
This comes amid reports that AB Zondagh, who is currently working with Top 14 club Lyon, could return to the Sharks to leave the attack under Pietersen. It is also understood that Plumtree will still have an influence on the Sharks in a consultancy capacity.
READ MORE: Sharks coach call gathers pace as ‘favourite’ emerges with ‘unexpected’ John Plumtree twist
