Having left their respective clubs in England and Ireland, two Springboks have officially been announced as new signings for Japan Rugby League One side Saitama Wild Knights.
Wild Knights on Friday announced that centre Damian de Allende and lock Lood de Jager would be joining the club for the new season in the top division in Japan.
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De Allende was among the South African exodus from Irish club Munster following the end of the 2021-22 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season, which included the exit of coach Johann van Graan, flank Chris Cloete and lock Jason Jenkins.
Having previously played for Kintetsu Liners between 2015 and 2017 and the Wild Knights in 2019, this will be De Allende’s third stint in Japan.
“I am very happy to be coming back to Japan and Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights,” De Allende said. “I really enjoyed my season in 2019-2020 before it was cut short because of covid.
“It has been great to follow the team and see how well they played, also to see Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights win the Japanese competition two years in a row. I am excited to see some of my old teammates and I hope I can be a good influence on the team and keep the winning streak going.”
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Former Cheetahs and Vodacom Bulls lock De Jager was one of two Springboks who left English club Sale Sharks at the end of the Premiership season, the other being scrumhalf Faf de Klerk.
De Jager was linked with a return to South Africa, having played abroad since the end of the 2019 World Cup, but has opted to take up a contract in Japan.
“I am very happy to be able to join Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. Wild Knights is a team with a great tradition and a professional team with some of the best facilities in the world,” the Bok lock said. “I always want to improve as a player, and I think Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights is the best environment for that. I have loved Japan for a long time and am very fond of Japanese culture and people.”
Wild Knights are coached by former Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans and have Australian wing Marika Koroibete and former Hurricanes midfielder Vince Aso on their books.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
