Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx courted for dramatic SA club return

The Bulls have sounded out Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx about returning to South Africa when his contract with Japan League One outfit Kubota Spears runs out later next year.

Marx, who celebrated his 32nd birthday in July, was part of Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok squad that won back-to-back World Cups, although he missed all but 51 minutes of the 2023 tournament with a knee injury sustained in training.

He has played in Japan since moving to Urayasu D-Rocks six years ago, before linking up with Kubota Spears, who play in the Edogawa area of Tokyo, a year later. He has scored 33 tries in 58 appearances for the club.

Marx is well known to Bulls boss Johan Ackermann, who gave him his Super Rugby debut for the Lions against the Crusaders at Ellis Park in April 2014. Ackermann is keen to reunite with the reigning World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year.

South African publication Rapport reports that formal talks about Marx moving to Loftus Versfeld have yet to take place, and that he has only been sounded out for a potential move at this stage.

But they could face a battle to sign Germiston-born Marx, who has won 89 Test caps, with it understood that his current employers are keen to retain his services, which could throw a huge spanner in the Bulls’ plans and make a deal quite expensive.

Ackermann is keen to strengthen the middle of his front row because he is losing Junior Bok international Esethu Mnebelele, who is set to move to Durban to join United Rugby Championship rivals the Sharks later this year.

Marx would pose serious competition for places for Johan Grobbelaar, Juann Else and Juandré Schoeman if Ackermann can lure him back home after the World Cup in Australia, when his contract runs out next June.