Willie le Roux: Springboks full-back bids Japan farewell, is a return to South Africa on the cards?

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Experienced Springboks full-back Willie le Roux looks to have bid Japan farewell after four years at Toyota Verblitz.

Le Roux left Wasps in 2019 to join Verblitz and recently notched up 50 appearances for the club.

Verblitz won eight of their sixteen matches in the Japanese Rugby League One season, finishing sixth overall after the regular season and two spots shy of making the play-offs.

The Sir Steve Hansen-led side defeated the Blue Revs 37-27 in the final round of the regular season, with Le Roux missing out on selection for the fixture.

With Verblitz’s season now completed, the veteran full-back posted a message to the club indicating that his time in Japan has come to an end.

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“I’d like to thank the staff and my team mates for an epic 4 years and, to our wonderful fans for always being so supportive. I appreciate the opportunity to have represented such a great team, Arigato @toyotaverblitz,” Le Roux tweeted.

So what’s next for Le Roux?

At 33, his career is drawing to a close, and although players have continued their careers well into their 30s nowadays, he could be hanging up his boots after the World Cup.

If not? A move to the Stormers could be on the cards. In 2021, he revealed, on the Use It or Lose It show, that he has built a house in Cape Town.

The location suits Le Roux but also plays into the Stormers’ hands, who were trying to court Cheslin Kolbe from France after Warrick Gelant’s departure.

Stormers boss John Dobson is not shy of signing veteran players, with Deon Fourie, Juan de Jongh and Brok Harris being perfect examples.

A return to the Griquas or Sharks seems unlikely, while the Bulls might look to sway him to head to Pretoria.

The likeliest destination seems to be the Stormers, with the Bulls being an outside bet. He could follow the likes of Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn back to the Cheetahs, but again the location makes that switch unlikely.

Le Roux’s career

Le Roux started out his youth career with Western Province before heading to Boland to increase his playing opportunities.

He made 39 Currie Cup appearances for the side between 2010 and 2011. During this period, he had a trial with the Stormers, with then-head coach Rassie Erasmus turning him away.

“I had essentially told him ‘no, you’re not good enough’, and he went to the Cheetahs instead,” Erasmus revealed in 2018 before adding, “He is [now] the backbone of our Springbok team. So he’s definitely proven me wrong, and I’m so happy for him. He’s got a really calming influence and brings experience to the back three. I’m really proud of him.”

He quickly became a regular starter at the Cheetahs in Super Rugby while also representing the Griquas in the Currie Cup. A Springbok debut came in 2013, and went on to play for South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Le Roux got his first taste of Japan in 2016, during the Super Rugby off-season, before he linked up with the Sharks for the 2016 season.

He signed for Wasps in 2017 and enjoyed a stellar two seasons at the club, guiding them to the Premiership final. During the 2017/18 Premiership season, he assisted 21 tries in the Premiership season, the kind of form that led to a Springbok recall.

He has been a Springbok regular ever since helping the side win the 2019 Rugby World Cup and a Lions series victory.

He has played 83 Test matches for the Springboks, scoring 13 tries.

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