Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has returned to South Africa for treatment after suffering an ankle injury in the Yokohama Canon Eagles\u2019 opening-round clash of the Japan Rugby League One season.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old was forced off just 32 minutes into the 14 December defeat to the Shizuoka Blue Revs after going down while attempting a tackle on wing Valynce Te Whare.<\/p>\n
Yokohama confirmed earlier this week that the double World Cup winner has temporarily withdrawn from the competition \u2013 the third consecutive season in which injury has disrupted his campaign.<\/p>\n
MORE: Bok duo linked with English Premiership<\/a><\/p>\n Despite his absence, RugbyJP<\/a> reports that De Klerk remains registered to play this season. Canon would need to de-register him should they opt to sign a temporary replacement with Test experience for a country other than Japan.<\/p>\n The former Sale Sharks scrumhalf, who has been linked with a possible return to the English Premiership at the end of the season, addressed supporters in a video message, but did not disclose details of his injury.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce again, I feel very sad to be leaving and disappointed,\u201d said De Klerk, who missed the closing rounds of last season due to a hand injury.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt I really worked hard to come back and be ready for this season but I\u2019m going back to make sure I get in the best condition possible to come back, join the team again and support if I\u2019m not playing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back as soon as possible to see all the supporters and players and hopefully join the last few games.\u201d<\/p>\n RASSIE: Faf still part of our plans<\/a><\/p>\n Canon\u2019s 18-round regular season concludes on 9 May with a return fixture against Shizuoka.<\/p>\n New head coach Leon MacDonald\u2019s side remain winless after also falling to arch-rivals the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars in round two, heading into Sunday\u2019s home clash against champions the Toshiba Brave Lupus.<\/p>\n FULL STORY<\/a><\/p>\n A message from Faf \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n \u602a\u6211\u306e\u6cbb\u7642\u306e\u305f\u3081\u3001\u30d5\u30a1\u30d5\u30fb\u30c7\u30af\u30e9\u30fc\u30af\u9078\u624b\u304c\u3001\u4e00\u6642\u7684\u306b\u30c1\u30fc\u30e0\u3092\u96e2\u308c\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n \u5fa9\u5e30\u306b\u5411\u3051\u3066\u3001\u30a4\u30fc\u30b0\u30eb\u30b9\u306f\u5168\u529b\u3067\u30b5\u30dd\u30fc\u30c8\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n \u30d5\u30a1\u30d5\u9078\u624b\u304b\u3089\u306e\u30b3\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u52d5\u753b\u3067\u3059\u3002 \u2014 \u6a2a\u6d5c\u30ad\u30e4\u30ce\u30f3\u30a4\u30fc\u30b0\u30eb\u30b9 (@Canon_Eagles) December 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Photo: Koki Nagahama\/Getty Images<\/p>\n \t\t
\u305c\u3072\u3054\u89a7\u4e0b\u3055\u3044\u3002#\u30d5\u30a1\u30d5\u30c7\u30af\u30e9\u30fc\u30af<\/a>#FafDeKlerk<\/a>#\u6a2a\u6d5c\u30ad\u30e4\u30ce\u30f3\u30a4\u30fc\u30b0\u30eb\u30b9<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4xMhsWIHkH<\/a><\/p>\n