Pieterse, who has been part of the Kings coaching set-up since 2013, told Netwerk24.com that he has signed on to become the Japanese club’s forwards coach after receiving an offer from head coach Coetzee.

‘Allister Coetzee contacted me a while back and asked if I’d be interested in the position. I thought long and hard and decided it’s time for something different,’ said Pieterse.

‘I learned a lot during my time at the Kings and although we went through tough times, I’ll always cherish the years I spend in Port Elizabeth.’

Pieterse played as a lock for the Golden Lions, Cheetahs, Cats and EP Kings and won one Test cap for the Springboks in 2007.

Photo: Gallo Images