Eastern Cape Super Rugby franchise the Southern Kings have announced that several of their players will be leaving South Africa at the end of the season.
Southern Kings fullback, Jurgen Visser, and flyhalf, Louis Fouche, have both signed contracts in Japan for the Super Rugby off season.
Southern Kings Chief Operating Officer, Charl Crous confirmed that Visser has signed a deal with the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, based in Osaka, while Fouche had signed a deal with the Kubota Spears, based in Funabashi, Chiba, for the 2016/17 season.
“We can confirm that both Jurgen and Louis have signed contracts in Japan for the Super Rugby off season, ” Crous said.
Visser said he was grateful for having had the opportunity to play for the Southern Kings in their return to Super Rugby.
“It has been a great opportunity for me to be a part of the Southern Kings structures and to play alongside a fantastic group of players,” he said.
Visser said the focus among all the players remained on the Super Rugby competition, with three games still to be played before the end of the season.
The Southern Kings will take on the Highlanders on Saturday, the 2nd of July in their final home match of the season, before playing the Lions at Emirates Airine Park in Johannesburg on the 8th of July at 19:00.
Their final game of the season will be against the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on the 16th of July.
Confirmed player movements to date:
Steven Sykes – Oyonnax (France) 2 year deal
Shane Gates – NTT Communications Shining Arcs (Japan) 2 year deal
Jacobie Adriaanse – Blue Bulls (South Africa) – till October 2018
Aidon Davis – Toulon (France) 2016/2017 Season
Philip du Preez – Mont-de-Marsan
Schalk Oelofse – Mont-de-Marsan
Players who have signed for Super Rugby off season
Thembelani Bholi – Toyota FS Cheetahs (South Africa) 2016/17 Season
Louis Fouche – Kubota Spears (Japan) 2016/17 Season
James Hall – Oyonnax (France) 2016/17 Season
Jurgen Visser – NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, (Japan) 2016/17 Season
