What to watch in men’s rugby: World Cup winning Springboks collide

Four Rugby World Cup winning Springboks will go head-to-head in Japan Rugby League One this weekend – and you can watch the match live and free via RugbyPass TV.

Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende starred for Saitama Wild Knights once again last Sunday, helping the league leaders to a 28-28 draw against Brave Lupus Tokyo that kept them top of the pile.

Wild Knights hit the road this weekend as they take on Yokohama Canon Eagles at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.

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LOMU: The Lost Tapes – trailer | RPTV

Featuring never-before-seen footage, Jonah Lomu shares his story and how he escaped gang violence to become the planet’s most iconic rugby player. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

That assignment will pit the Springbok duo against a couple of players they know incredibly well from their time in the famous green and gold jersey.

Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel, who both started the Rugby World Cup final victory against New Zealand in Paris 16 months ago alongside de Allende, are two of the Eagles’ most key players.

Fixture

Japan Rugby League One

Yokohama Canon Eagles

36 - 51

Full-time

Saitama Wild Knights

All Stats and Data

They were unable to prevent their side stumbling to their third defeat of the season in round seven, though, as Yokohama let a 22-16 lead slip in the final 15 minutes against Kubota Spears.

Late tries from Halotoa Vailea and Rikus Pretorius confirmed a 30-22 victory for Spears, the former’s 75th minute conversion denying the Eagles even a losing bonus point.

Defeat was their first in five matches and de Klerk, Kriel and co will hope to bounce back in the Japanese capital as they go in search of a first victory against Wild Knights since 2013. A rare win in the fixture could lift them back into the top four.

Wild Knights are unbeaten in seven matches so far this season as they set their sights on regaining the title they lost to Brave Lupus last season.

And they have won their last 16 matches against Canon Eagles, including semi-final triumphs in each of the previous two seasons. Wild Knights average almost 42 points per match in their last four wins in this fixture.

This Sunday’s match is one you won’t want to miss. You can find out whether Yokohama can spring a surprise or if history will repeat live and for free, except where there is a local broadcast deal in place.

Sunday, February 16

05:20 GMT – Yokohama Canon Eagles v Saitama Wild Knights, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground – WATCH LIVE HERE

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