Francois Steyn
Gary Gold
New Sharks boss Gary Gold and Springbok Frans Steyn will both be back in Durban soon.
This follows after the semi-finals of the Japanese Top League – which will see the Wild Knights play Júbilo in the Final, after they defeated the Brave Lupus and Kobe Steelers respectively.
It means the Sharks Director of Rugby, Gold, and the Bok utility back, Steyn, among others, are heading home for Super Rugby.
In the first semi-final the Wild Knights ran in 4 first-half tries and added 1 more in the second stanza as they avenged 2 earlier defeats this season to the Toshiba Brave Lupus, winning 50 / 15.
Steyn’s Brave Lupus team suffering a heavy defeat means that the Sharks versatile back can return to his Durban franchise earlier than expected.
Steyn will be following his newly appointed coach Gary Gold home after the Kobe Steelers lost 12 / 41 in another hammering to Júbilo who reached their first ever Top League Final.
Katsuyuki Kiyomiya’s side ran in 2 tries in the first half and 4 in the second to upset the Steelers, who had finished the regular season on top of the Group A standings.
Those players remaining behind to contest the final include Bulls flank Dewald Potgieter for Júbilo along with Japanese international and Rebels back Male Sa’u.
In the Wild Knights team, Steyn’s teammate JP Pietersen will have to wait until 1 February and the Final to rejoin the Sharks as he, Rebels hooker Shota Horie and Highlanders scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka will be attempting to lift the trophy.
The Crusaders will be buoyed by the fact that veteran scrumhalf Andy Ellis will be heading home due to the Steelers early exit after they suffered a major blow when Willi Heinz broke his leg on the weekend.
New Chiefs signing and Japan’s national captain Michael Leitch will also be heading into Super Rugby earlier than expected after losing in the semifinal.
A number of key players for the Cheetahs are also still involved in the Second Round of Wildcard play-offs.
Potential Cheetahs’ captain Heinrich Brussow and centre Johan Sadie are still involved until at least 31 January with the Red Hurricanes, when they face the Green Rockets, who have the Crusaders’ giant wing Nemani Nadolo in their squad.
Schalk Burger’s Suntory Sungoliath team will also play the Black Rams, who have Rebels and All Black Tamati Ellison in their set-up.
Finally, in the promotion and relegation matches, which take place during the opening Round of Super Rugby on 14 February, will see Sharks No 8 Ryan Kankowski playing for the Industries Shuttles against the Red Sparks.
All the Japanese Top League’s results:
Title play-offs:
Kobe Steelers 12 / 41 Jubilo
Brave Lupus 15 / 50 Wild Knights
Wildcard play-offs:
Shinning Arcs 12 / 16 Black Rams
Suntory Sungoliath 24 / 16 Liners
Eagles 10 / 14 Green Rockets
Verblitz 27 / 36 Red Hurricanes
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