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Honda Heat bag 4 players, including Bok and a Blue
Honda Heat have announced four big-name signings with South African trio Franco Mostert, Matthys Basson, Jean-Luc du Plessis and Blues full-back Matt Duffie all heading to Japan. The announcement comes just hours after the Kobelco Steelers confirmed the signatures of All Blacks Ben Smith and Aaron Cruden.
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World Cup winner Mostert, who joins from Gloucester, already has experience of playing in Japan under his belt having represented the Ricoh Black Rams between 2016 and 2018. The 39-cap Springbok has also played for the Lions and Blue Bulls.
Bason joins the Heat from the Bulls while du Plessis, a former South Africa Under-20 international, ends a four-year stay with the Stormers.
“I was impressed by Honda Heat’s ambition to continue to grow,” said Mostert, 29.
“Now I’m really looking forward to joining the team. I have always enjoyed and had a great time in Japan, including winning the World Cup last year.
【Welcome to Honda HEAT】
この度、2020年より新しく #HondaHEAT に加入する選手に追加がありますのでお知らせ致します⚫️🔴
各選手のコメントは公式ホームページにて掲載しております❗️
新たに加わる4選手への熱いご声援をよろしくお願いします🔥🔥🔥https://t.co/5k0S867J4S pic.twitter.com/4gSxziAGzv— 三重ホンダヒート (@hondaheat) July 31, 2020
“I love Japanese culture and people. I look forward to this challenge.”
The news continues the influx of top-class talent to the Japanese Top League.
New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett recently signed a one-year deal with Suntory Sungoliath, while South Africa’s Malcolm Marx, England’s George Kruis and Wales’ Hadleigh Parkes are also confirmed to be moving to Japan.
