Duane Vermeulen joins Kubota Spears

South Africa international Duane Vermeulen is set to make his debut in the Japanese Top League after signing a deal with Kubota Spears ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The 31-year-old, who recently pulled out the Rugby Championship tournament for South Africa has been out of contract since the end of the previous season when he played for Toulon.

It was initially expected that Vermeulen would return back to Super Rugby club Stormers but Kubota confirmed that the back-row will make a move to Japan.

"I am honoured to be a member of the Kubota family," Vermeulen said.

"I’m grateful to Kubota for giving me the opportunity and am looking forward to my time at the club."

Vermeulen will join Ruan Botha, Jean Droste, Lappies Labuschagne, Burger Odendaal and Gerhard van den Heever at Kubota Spears.

Kubota Spears finished the 2017/18 season of Top League at the 11th position.