Vermeulen off to Japan

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has signed a deal with Japanese Top League side the Kubota Spears ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Vermeulen’s contract with Toulon came to an end at the conclusion of the European season and it was initially believed he would rejoin Western Province and the Stormers but Kubota Spears confirmed the loose forward's signature on Thursday.

Vermeulen has also been linked with a move to Premiership Bath as well as the Bulls in Super Rugby.

‘I am honoured to be a member of the Kubota family,’ Vermeulen said. ‘I’m grateful to Kubota for giving me the opportunity and am looking forward to my time at the club.’

Vermeulen will link up with fellow South Africans' Ruan Botha, Jean Droste, Lappies Labuschagne, Burger Odendaal and Gerhard van den Heever at Kubota, where former Bulls coach Frans Ludeke is the head coach.