Marcell Coetzee

The tide of South Africans heading abroad continues as Marcell Coetzee is one of the latest to ink a deal in Japan, utilising the grace period after the World Cup.

The Springbok will join Honda Heat and feature in the Japanese league from 1 November 2015 to 31 January 2016. The good news for South African fans though is that he will return to Durban after his contract in time the 2016 Super Rugby season.

Honda Heat have also strengthened their side with the signing of Wallaby wing Digby Ioane from the French club Stade Francais.

In more offshore moves to earn that lucrative foreign currency Springbok centre JJ Engelbrecht and Lions lock Andries Ferreira will link up with the Shokki Shuttles for 3 months – before returning to their respective Super Rugby teams.

The Shuttles have also bagged some Australian talent with the signing of Melbourne Rebel Bryce Hegarty.

These newly signed players join other top South Africans in Asia – Willie le Roux, Pierre Spies and Francois Hougaard – who are all jumping on the Japan bandwagon before returning to their sides in the new year.

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