Springbok Contingent Dominates Japan Rugby League One as Faf de Klerk and Kwagga Smith Spark Major Upsets

Faf de Klerk scores three as Springbok stars Kwagga Smith and Lukhanyo Am lead their teams to major wins in Japan Rugby League One.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

De Klerk’s Triple Strike Topples League Leaders

Faf de Klerk produced arguably the individual performance of the season to lead the Yokohama Canon Eagles to a 38,29 victory over the first placed Kobelco Kobe Steelers. The Springbok scrumhalf was irrepressible in the opening forty minutes, crossing the try line three times to record a sensational first half hat-trick. His tactical awareness and rapid service at the base of the ruck caught the Steelers' defense off guard, providing the Eagles with a momentum shift that ultimately resulted in one of the biggest statistical upsets of the current campaign.

Kwagga Smith Ignites BlueRevs’ Postseason Ambitions

In Shizuoka, Kwagga Smith demonstrated why he remains one of the most valued loose forwards in global rugby by leading the BlueRevs to a 34,24 win over Toyota Verblitz. Captaining the side from the front, Smith was a persistent menace at the breakdown and capped his performance with a well earned try. The victory was particularly significant as it snapped a five match losing streak for the BlueRevs, allowing them to leapfrog their rivals in the standings and reignite their push for a top six playoff position.

Late Drama and Tactical Composure from Am and Kellerman

The South African influence extended to the league's most dramatic finishes, with Lukhanyo Am playing a central role in the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars’ 35,32 comeback against Tokyo Sungoliath. Am’s defensive organization and distribution under pressure allowed the Dynaboars to overturn a late deficit. Elsewhere, Dawid Kellerman showed remarkable composure to slot a final minute penalty, securing a narrow 24,22 win for Mie Honda Heat over the defending champions, Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, further highlighting the depth of South African talent currently operating in the Japanese top flight.