Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights coach Robbie Deans and his Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo counterpart Todd Blackadder are good mates, but the two former Glenmark club
The victorious Lions series and Rugby World Cup heroics in Japan have made the Springboks the poster boys for utilising overseas talent.
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named a raft of 2019 World Cup heroes in his 36-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions in Edinburgh next month.
South Africa and Gloucester second row Franco Mostert is the latest player to say goodbye to his club as contracts are running out across the Gallagher Premiership.
Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley has bagged 17 points, including his third try in four weeks, to spark a spectacular revival by Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay as they beat Mie Honda Heat 61-24 in Japan Rugby League One.
All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea started his stint in Japan with monster 80-15 win as Kobelco Steelers ran rampant over Mie Honda Heat.