Another big name appears lost to South African rugby as big lock Andries Bekker confirms a move to the Kobelco Steelers in Japan.
The official Stormers website this morning revealed that the 29-year-old second rower will join the Japanese club on conclusion of this year’s Super Rugby tournament, but unlike team-mate Peter Grant (who also plays for the Steelers), Bekker won’t be returning to Cape Town for Super Rugby each year.
As a player with an horrendous injury record, the 2.08m Bekker appears to be looking to Japan as a way of extending his career without risking his livelihood further in the cauldron of Super Rugby. He now becomes the second high-profile Stormers Springbok to announce a post-season departure; Bok team-mate Bryan Habana has recently confirmed a move to Toulon in France.
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goodluck to him
Going after the bucks. I’ll be surprised if he makes this season without a major injury.
Unions must hurt everytime a player ups and leaves after they look after him through injury. I know its the proffesional era but surely the amount of money lost on players must hurt unions. Are there transfer fees like in soccer?
If ever anyone was going to be big in Japan, it’s Bekker.
Good move from the point of view of prolonging your career.
Play half the amount of matches for plenty more money.
I still feel it is getting worse and worse since HM started picking overseas guys.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 6) : yeah, but he generally doesn’t pick em from Japan.
We won’t see Mr Away Game in a green jersey again soon.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : lol
this is Bresler chance to be a Bok, goodness knows some here have been screaming for to be picked…
Hi Megatron can’t see that happening. Btw good luck for your team playing tonight.