Sale Sharks lock Lood de Jager set to join Japanese club - Report

Sale Sharks lock Lood de Jager is unlikely to return to South Africa following his stint with Sale Sharks at the end of the ongoing season.

It was reported earlier in the month, de Jager and his World Cup winning South African team-mate Faf de Klerk are set to leave Sale Sharks following the club's Salary Cap squeeze.

Even though the 29-year-old was linked with Bulls and Stormers, it is understood that South Africa is not set to be the destination for his new club.

According to Rapport, De Jager will be instead heading to Japan to join an un-named club.

De Jager has played 27 times for Sale Sharks scoring three tries apart from featuring in 53 Tests for the Springboks. He has played over 10 times for Sale Sharks in the Premiership this season apart from another four games in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, Japanese club Canon Eagles is amongst the front-runner to sign de Klerk, who has close to 100 appearances for Sale Sharks since joining them in 2017 from Lions. The 30-year-old has also racked up 241 points scoring 14 tries and 39 conversions in the process.