Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has joined Japanese Top League club the Kubota Spears ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Vermeulen’s contract with Toulon came to an end at the conclusion of the European season and while it was initially believed that a return to Western Province and the Stormers was on the cards, Kubota confirmed on Thursday that he will be playing for them.

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‘I am honoured to be a member of the Kubota family,’ Vermeulen said. ‘I’m grateful to Kubota for giving me the opportunity and am looking forward to my time at the club.’

Vermeulen will link up with compatriots Ruan Botha, Jean Droste, Lappies Labuschagne, Burger Odendaal and Gerhard van den Heever at Kubota, where Frans Ludeke is the head coach.

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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images