Kubota Spears has announced a double signing as the former League One champions bid for a play-off spot next season.
Frans Ludeke’s 2023 winners, who missed out on the play-offs last season after a sixth-placed finish, have signed former Shizuoka Blue Revs scrum-half Bryn Hall and South African starlet Merwe Olivier.
The vastly experienced Hall, 32, who is best known for his fruitful time with Scott Robertson’s Crusaders, spent the last two seasons with Shizuoka as he made 27 League One appearances.
Hall has recently been playing in New Zealand’s NPC with North Harbour.
The former New Zealand u20 international said: “I am very happy to join the Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay.
“I can't wait to play in front of the passionate Japanese fans. It is an honour to be a part of this team and I am excited to showcase my skills and grow as a player. I look forward to contributing to the team's success and meeting all our amazing fans.”
Towering South African lock Olivier, 21, moves to Chiba from URC outfit the Bulls.
The 6ft 4in, 240-pounder, nurtured his skills at the rugby hotbed of Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Grey College is widely regarded as one of the best school sides in the world and their alumni includes 1995 World Cup winner Naka Drotské, double World Cup winner François Steyn (2007 and 2019) and current scrum-half Cobus Reinach who won back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
Former Junior Springboks international Olivier said: “First of all, I would like to thank Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay for the opportunity to join the team.
“The Spears rugby program has an extremely high reputation, and my goal is to add value to an already successful team and grow with the team to achieve our goals. I am really looking forward to this opportunity.”
Kubota’s plentiful South African contingent includes Malcolm Marx, Schalk Erasmus, Ruan Botha, David Bulbring and Rikus Pretorius.
The Chiba side will kick off the 2024-25 season with a mouthwatering clash against Pieter-Steph du Toit and Aaron Smith’s Toyota Verblitz at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Sunday 22 December.
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