Aphelele Fassi\u2019s Japanese club has now been confirmed, with the Springbok involved in a triple signing, while England star Joe Heyes and All Blacks ace Samipeni Finau have both made crucial decisions on their futures.<\/p>\n
Here are all the latest rugby rumours, transfers<\/a> and contract renewals.<\/p>\n Aphelele Fassi involved in triple signing for Japanese club<\/p>\n Springboks full-back Aphelele Fassi, Scotland back-rower Jack Dempsey and ex-All Black David Havili will all join Japanese side Brave Lupus for the 2027 Rugby League One season.<\/p>\n Sharks man Fassi will head over on a sabbatical deal after signing a new deal with the Durban-based outfit, while Dempsey and Havili have signed permanent deals.<\/p>\n They are the latest Test stars to head to Brave Lupus, who have had the likes of Richie Mo\u2019unga represent them in recent seasons.<\/p>\n Scotland ace Dempsey joins Brave Lupus from Glasgow Warriors and brings a wealth of Test experience with 33 caps for Scotland and 14 for the Wallabies.<\/p>\n Rassie Erasmus reveals he was blocked by SA Rugby over Benhard Janse van Rensburg selection: \u2018We wanted to cap him\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Commenting on joining Brave Lupus, the back-rower said: \u201cI am very excited to be joining the Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, and experiencing Japanese rugby and culture.<\/p>\n \u201cI am looking forward to meeting the teammates, fans and supporters of Brave Lupus, and will do my best to help the team achieve success.\u201d<\/p>\n Havili makes his move to Tokyo from Super Rugby side Crusaders, and also brings a heap of Test experience with him after winning 32 caps for the All Blacks.<\/p>\n On his respective move, the centre said: \u201cKon-nichiwa Toshiba, me and my wife Lucy are very excited to be joining the team for the upcoming seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been watching from afar and really love the way the team plays. I can\u2019t wait to meet all the new fans and teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait to learn about the Japanese lifestyle and culture.<\/p>\n \u201cSee you guys very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n While Fassi might only be in place for the next season, he is the latest Springbok<\/a> to make a move to Japan and boasts 17 Test caps for his country.<\/p>\n On joining the club for the 2027 season, he said: \u201cI\u2019m incredibly excited to be joining Toshiba and beginning this new chapter in Japan. This is a unique opportunity to experience a new culture, embrace a different way of life, and challenge myself both on and off the field.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always believed that the best experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone, and I\u2019m looking forward to immersing myself in everything that Japan has to offer.<\/p>\n \u201cToshiba is a club with a proud history and passionate supporters, and it\u2019s a privilege to become part of that. I can\u2019t wait to meet the fans, build relationships within the community, and hopefully give them plenty to cheer about. Their passion is a huge part of what makes rugby so special, and I\u2019m excited to experience that firsthand.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the field, my focus is simple: to work hard every day, contribute to the team\u2019s success in any way I can, and help the club compete for championships. I\u2019ll be giving everything I have for the jersey and look forward to learning from my teammates and coaches along the way.<\/p>\n Joe Heyes decides Leicester Tigers future<\/p>\n England<\/a> and Leicester prop Joe Heyes has recommitted his future to the Tigers, signing a four-year deal to keep him at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.<\/p>\n Heyes made his professional bow for Leicester back in 2018 and has since made 185 appearances in all competitions. In that time, he also featured in two PREM Rugby finals, coming off the bench in their 2022 victory over Saracens.<\/p>\n His form has also seen him win 22 Test caps for England, and he was named England Men\u2019s Player of the Season at the recent Rugby Awards following a strong individual Six Nations campaign. He was also named Player of the Series during their 2025 summer tour of the Americas.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n Commenting on his new deal, Heyes said: \u201cLeicester Tigers, it\u2019s a place that I have grown to love since arriving as a 16-year-old.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver the years, I\u2019ve experienced and felt the passion for this club through the players, coaches, backroom staff and, of course, our incredible fans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy family have all become Leicester Tigers\u2019 and support from all over the world, we are Tigers through and through.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to re-sign and continue representing this club and the people of Leicester is a privilege.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m incredibly excited about the future; we have a squad filled with talent and ambition, and I know Geoff shares the same passion and love for this club that I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t wait to see you all at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the 2026\/27 season. If not, I\u2019ll be in my garden.\u201d<\/p>\n