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Another Springbok Japan-bound

Lions flank Albertus ‘Kwagga’ Smith has agreed to join the Japanese club Yamaha Júbilo.

The 25-year-old has signed a short-term contract with the side and will not be available for the Golden Lions’ Currie Cup campaign.

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The former BlitzBoks player will return to the Lions ahead of the new Super Rugby season.

Smith’s eventual return will be a sigh of relief for the Lions, who face a mass exodus of senior players at the end of the season.

Confirmed departures include centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg (to Sale Sharks) prop Ruan Dreyer (Gloucester), lock Franco Mostert (Gloucester – although the Lions have disputed this) and flank Jaco Kriel (Gloucester).

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While, speculation that fullback Andries Coetzee (Sale Sharks, Gloucester & Toulon) and prop Jacques van Rooyen (Bath) have been linked to European clubs.

Flyhalf Elton Jantjies, flank Cyle Brink and utility back Lionel Mapoe have also been linked to moves abroad.

Commenting on his move to Japan, Smith said: “I am honoured to be a member of the Yamaha family as the next step of my own rugby career.

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“I have visited Japan, but I have the impression that it is a very beautiful country, and each other I am very impressed with the culture.

“I am convinced that the transfer to a team playing high quality like Yamaha will lead to further growth and leap as a player.

“Also my wife is looking forward to living in Japan so I will try my best to make a big contribution to the team.

“I am grateful to all the stakeholders of Yamaha who gave valuable opportunities like this time and I am looking forward to seeing you all.

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“I will do my best to win the top league.”

@rugby365

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Nickers 35 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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