Japanese Top League side the Kubota Spears have confirmed the signing of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx.

Marx was one of four players to have bid the Lions farewell after exercising an exit option during SA Rugby’s well-publicised 21-day contractual exit window back in May this year. Ruan Vermaak, Tyrone Green and Shaun Reynolds also exercised the clause.

The 26-year-old World Cup winner was on Wednesday confirmed as a new signing for the Kubota Spears. Marx’s previous stint in Japan at the beginning of this year came with the NTT Communications Shining Arcs, scoring five tries in six games before the season was cancelled.

The Spears are coached by former Vodacom Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke, and also have other South African players in Ruan Botha, David Bulbring, Japan-capped Lappies Labuschagne and wing Gerhard van den Heever. Former All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty and Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley at the club.

Speaking to SA Rugby magazine in June, Marx outlined his ambitions to play against the British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa next year.

‘It’s not like I view that World Cup victory as the end,’ he said. ‘I have to keep working and know that there will always be a different challenge. We don’t know when the season will resume, or when we will get together to train again. In the meantime we’ve got to make the most of it and stay positive.

‘The Lions series is a goal I’ve set for myself,’ he adds. ‘I realise that I’ll need to tick a few boxes along the way. I’ll need to perform at club level and earn the right to represent the Boks again. I’ll never take that for granted. If I get the chance, I’ll have to show why I deserve it every single game.’

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