Japan could be SA's Super Rugby saviour

Japan may be the newest kid on the block in Vodacom Super Rugby when the tournament gets a revamp at the end of this season, but they could also be South African rugby’s best friend in the fight to keep players at home.


South African Super Rugby franchises are actively seeking partnerships with Japanese clubs at the moment to “twin” and allow players to head abroad in the Absa Currie Cup season to play in Japan, then return home for Super Rugby.


This masterstroke is seen as one of the bigger ways of countering the threat from European clubs poaching players from South Africa and could al…