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Confirmed: The identity of Japanese club Faf de Klerk is joining

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

World Cup winner Faf de Klerk is heading back to the city that played host to South Africa’s 2019 final win as the Yokohama Canon Eagles have confirmed on social media that they are the club the scrum-half is moving to from Sale.

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The 30-year-old half-back is set to play his final match this Saturday with the Sharks in Manchester before linking up with the Springboks for their international season, and he will then head to Japan, a country he claims he always wanted to play in again.   

“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to be part of a great team like Yokohama Canon Eagles,” said de Klerk on his new club’s website on Wednesday. “Since the Rugby World Cup in 2019, I knew I wanted to play in Japan at some stage in my career. 

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“Now it is a reality and I can’t wait to get stuck in with my teammates and coaches and hopefully make a big impact. The Japanese culture is amazing and I look forward to enjoying every moment with my partner, teammates and all the rugby fans of Japan.”

His new club tweeted: “New Member. We would like to announce a new player who will be joining the Yokohama Canon Eagles! 🔥 👤Francois de Klerk • Date of Birth: 19/10/1991; Position: SH; Height/Weight: 170cm/88kg.”

The Sale exit of de Klerk, along with fellow Springboks title winner Lood de Jager, was farewelled on Tuesday by Sharks boss Alex Sanderson. “The energy, the hair, the unpredictability. It is all there on display but that is not all of Faf de Klerk,” he said to RugbyPass. There is a hidden depth to Faf which you see through this competitiveness, through his physicality and that flamboyance that you see never transfers into arrogance or complacency. 

“He is a very humble person who I have got a lot of time for. He is not all fluff, there is a good bit of ferocity about him which I respect and admire.”

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“These are the two people I get on with very well. You’d think two people are leaving the club within their original contractual times that they said they would commit to, they could be leaving on bad terms but because of the people they are, they are actually leaving with our blessing. 

“I know why they are leaving and I can’t disagree with their motives for doing so… they were two of our talismans over the course of the season (and a half) without which we wouldn’t have got to two quarter-finals and a semi-final without a shadow of a doubt, wouldn’t have got there. They are sadly leaving but they will leave with all our best wishes.”

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C
CO 29 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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