JASPER WIESE HEADED TO JAPAN?
There has been much conjecture regarding the rough-and-tumble back-rower’s future, with teams in South Africa and France expressing interest in him.
But according to Planet Rugby, he’ll be playing in Japan shortly.
Rumors first surfaced after the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup, suggesting that he was being signed by Stade Francais, a Top 14 team.
After the failure of those negotiations, Wiese is considering his options, some of which include returning to South Africa and possibly signing with the Bulls or Sharks.
An article in the Daily Mail claims that a Japanese team outbid the Tigers for Wiese, offering a sum more than fifty percent higher than Leicester’s. Wiese’s prospective designations with the Kobe Steelers and Suntory Sungoliath were also mentioned in the article.
“On the other hand, Jared Wright wrote that sources from Planet Rugby have confirmed that he will be collaborating with former Springboks forward and former Lions head coach Johan Ackermann.”
“Ackermann is currently in charge of the Japanese rugby team’s second division team, the Urayasu D-Rocks.”
SPRINGBOKS STILL CHASING THE SUN
If the deal goes through, Wiese would join teammates Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith, and Franco Mostert in Japan who have all won Rugby World Cups.
Wandering rugby players are finding Japan to be a popular destination due to the country’s attractive salaries and manageable fixture schedule.
