Yokohama Canon Eagles’s double World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk is back in Japan.
The 32-year-old Springboks star last played in June and was left out of South Africa’s Autumn Nations Series squad after a lengthy absence due to a thigh injury.
The former Sale Sharks man, who joined Yokohama in 2022, was forced to withdraw from League One in January to return to his homeland for knee surgery. His Category C (capped by an international country other than Japan) spot went to compatriot Rohan Janse van Rensburg who joined the club on a short-term deal in February.
Faf served as a water boy for his club in their play-off semi-final loss to Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and in their defeat against Suntory Sungoliath in the third-place match in May.
The Mbombela native is already back in Yokohama ahead of the fourth League One season and joined up with with his teammates on the weekend for the last stage of their training camp in Oita.
Fans will have not have to wait long for an opportunity to see their famed number nine.
Faf will take part in Yokohama’s League One send-off ceremony at Yokohama City Sports and Culture Bureau on Tuesday 19 November from 15:30 to 16:30.
The South African will be joined by teammates such as veteran fly-half Yu Tamura and full-back Jumpei Ogura and coach Keisuke Sawaki for the talk show which will be hosted by Anna Asano.
Faf’s club and international colleague Jesse Kriel is currently part of South Africa’s Northern Hemisphere tour and is expected to feature in Saturday’s Test match against England after being rested for Sunday’s win over Scotland.
The Kanagawa side begin will kick off their 2024-2025 League One campaign against Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell’s reigning champions Toshiba Brave Lupus at Nissan Stadium on December 22.
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