Loose forward Willie Britz was the surprise inclusion when the Sunwolves announced their squad for the 2017 Super Rugby season.
Britz joined the Cheetahs from the Lions in 2015, but has been struggling to get game time over the past couple of seasons because of numerous injuries.
He joined the NTT Shining Arcs in the off-season in 2015, but on Monday coach Filo Tiatia confirmed that Britz won't be returning to his South African Super Rugby franchise, and will instead represent the Sunwolves in the competition next year.
Britz will link up with former Cheetahs utility back Riaan Viljoen at the Sunwolves.
Ex-Highlanders scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka was also unveiled as one of the Sunwolves' new signings, while the team's top try-scorer in 2016, Akihito Yamada, was omitted from the squad.
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