RugbyJP has picked five League One rookies to keep tabs on this season.
1. Pierich Siebert – Suntory Sungoliath (South Africa)
Position: Flanker/Number eight
Former SA Schools A international Pierich Siebert was signed by Suntory Sungoliath in April.
Siebert, 23, came through the ranks at the renowned Paarl Gimnasium school which has produced Springboks legends such as Schalk Burger and Jean De Villiers.
The back-rower rose to notoriety with standout performances for his famed school which earned him a call-up to the SA Schools A side in 2019.
A former Western Province U-18 State Representative, in-demand flanker Siebert joined Rissho University in 2020 and graduated earlier this year.
The Japan-qualified 6ft 1in, 16st 9lb recruit will have to be patient for a starting berth this season with Suntory’s abundance of back-row options but is certainly in new head coach Kosei Ono's plans.
"I am grateful to join Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath. Playing in League One will be a big challenge. I will work hard to contribute to the team's success."
2. Stephan du Toit – Toshiba Brave Lupus (South Africa)
Position: Full-back
Siebert’s fellow Paarl Gimnasium graduate Stephan du Toit was also one of the 22 school boy prospects who left South Africa for an overseas opportunity at the end of 2019.
The 23-year-old full-back, who can also play at fly-half and in the midfield, graduated this year from Ibaraki-based Ryutsu Keizai University which has nurtured the talent of a host of players who went on to represent Japan including Kubota Spears centre Sione Teaupa.
Toshiba newcomer du Toit started their pre-season game against Kyuden Voltex at outside-centre in November and has covered a number of positions as a replacement.
New Brave Blossoms international Takuro Matsunaga is the club’s first-choice full-back with Michael Collins and Yuto Mori also set to be ahead of du Toit in the pecking order for the number 15 jersey.
Japan centre Nicholas McCurran left Fuchu for Toyota Verblitz in the summer which means that veterans Rob Thompson, 33, and ex-All Black Seta Tamanivalu, 32, are poised to lead their midfield.
The versatility of Du Toit will bolster his chances of selection and he should feature early on in the 2024-25 campaign.
3. Shotaro Ikedo - Toshiba Brave Lupus (Japan)
Position: Scrum-half
Meiji University graduate Shotaro Ikedo, 23, is one of five scrum-halves in Todd Blackadder’s squad this season.
Ikedo, who started playing rugby at Hachioji Rugby School, was encouraged to take up the sport by his father, Shigenori, who played as a lock at the University of Tsukuba.
The former Japan High School National Team member studied at Tokai University Sagami High School and inked a deal with Toshiba in February after graduating from Meiji University.
Tokyo-born Ikedo started one pre-season game at scrum-half and has spent more time playing at fly-half and full-back. The club has shown the faith they have in their League One rookie by naming him as one of their replacements for Sunday’s opening round game against Jesse Kriel's Yokohama Canon Eagles.
4. Caleb Cavubati – Urayasu D-Rocks (New Zealand)
Position: Winger
Former Tawa Rugby Football Club wing Caleb Cavubati has a turn of speed and dazzling footwork.
Newly-promoted D-Rocks' tyro is a second-generation talent who grew up in Wellington.
The son of ex-Fiji international and fan favourite Bill Cavubati – a former Wellington and Hurricanes prop who once clocked the scales at a hefty 368 pounds – first caught the eye at Scots College which led to him being recruited by Yamanashi Gakuin University.
Cavubati, who scored in November’s pre-season game against Honda Heat (above), was unveiled by new head coach Greig Laidlaw’s team in January.
The Japan-qualified pocket-rocket, who stands at a 5ft 9in and weighs 14st 5lb, has earned comparisons to Suntory's Cheslin Kolbe from Japanese fans due to his size, speed and skillset.
“I'm very honoured and very grateful to be a part of the D-rocks team,” he said after joining the division one newcomers.
“I will do my best to learn from the people and environment around me and also contribute all my skills and hard work to this team."
5. Valynce Te Whare – Shizuoka Blue Revs (New Zealand)
Position: Winger
Waikato-born Valynce Te Whare, 24, is one of the most intriguing League One acquisitions for the new season.
The 6ft, 16st 12lb newcomer grew up playing rugby union firstly for Fraser Tech and then Waikato before making a handful of appearances for King Country Rugby Football Union.
Te Whare switched codes in 2012 when he joined newly-licensed NRL outfit the Dolphins in 2021.
The 2022 Queensland Rugby League Awards Centre of the Year had a breakout top-flight season in 2023 as he scored six tries in 12 games for the Australian side.
Despite a promising start to his NRL career, Dolphins’ cult hero – who also worked as as groundskeeper for the club - failed to feature for Wayne Bennett’s team in 2024 and was not offered a new deal.
Kwagga Smith’s Shizuoka Blue Revs swooped in for the free agent after he impressed during a trial to seal return to the 15-man code.
Te Whare is among the replacements for the Blue Revs’ first game at home to Kobe Steelers on Saturday. Pictures courtesy of Suntory, Toshiba, D-Rocks and Shizuoka
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