Japanese club confirms Marx signing

TRANSFER NEWS: Malcolm Marx's move to Japanese club Kubota Spears has been confirmed.

The Springbok hooker was one of several Lions players to tear up their contracts during SA Rugby's 21-day escape clause earlier this year.

The clause was a deal struck between SA Rugby, the players union MyPlayers, the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation and the staff union Sports Employees’ Unite. The deadline for players to tear up their contracts and head abroad was midnight on Thursday, May 14.

Ruan Vermaak, Tyrone Green and Shaun Reynolds were the other Lions players to exercise the clause.

Marx's previous stint in Japan was playing for NTT Communications Shining Arcs earlier this year.

"First of all, I would like to thank Kubota and Kubota Spears for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team," said Marx.

"It is a great honour to be part of a proud organization like Kubota. I really enjoyed my time in Japan. I respect and respect Japanese people and Japanese culture and I am happy to be back here in Japan.

"I'm really looking forward to it, and I hope Kubota Spears can help me to achieve my goals."

The Spears are coached by formers Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke