Bulls skipper Coetzee completes deal with Japanese club

Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee's move to the Japanese outfit Kobelco Kobe Steelers was confirmed on Tuesday.

It's understood that the Springbok flank will leave for Japan in November after the Bulls agreed to a sabbatical.

Japan's League One season runs from 17 December until 20 May, which means Coetzee will miss a substantial chunk of the Bulls' URC and Champions Cup campaigns.

?2022-23???? ?????(??)??????????Marcell Coetzee (????·?????)??????????????????????https://t.co/MtN4UYFX7m pic.twitter.com/UIBa6hEoTX

This will be the 31-year-old's second stint in Japan, having previously played for Honda Heat in 2015 and 2016.

"I am looking forward to playing in League One as a member of the Kobelco Kobe Steelers and meeting the fans at the stadium," Coetzee said in a statement released by the club.

"I will do everything in my power to help the Kobe Steelers win the championship. My family and I are looking forward to new life and new encounters in Japan."