Springbok Albertus ‘Kwagga’ Smith has turned down offers from a number of South African teams and agreed to a new deal with Japan-based club Yamaha Jubilo.
Kwagga Smith still has hopes he can make South Africa's World Cup squad, but he has a PRO14 plan B if that RWC selection doesn't materialise.
The Lions have been a dealt a major blow in the lead up to the finals rounds of Super Rugby for 2019 with Kwagga Smith out of their upcoming matches due to a hamstring injury sustained against the Hurricanes.
At the start of the year three very prominent players gave up the chance of representing their country at the Commonwealth Games, in the hope of becoming Springboks in the 15-a-side code.
Openside Kwagga Smith is turning his back on Sevens to pursue a career in XVs full time it has been revealed.
SANZAAR took a dim view of Kwagga Smith's red card in Lions' Super Rugby final defeat and handed him a four-week suspension.
Kwagga Smith was reportedly the back row initially on Edinburgh's radar, but his World Cup inclusion by the Springboks left them looking elsewhere for short-term cover.