Kwagga Smith is on the verge of joining the Bulls, with negotiations between the loose forward and the Pretoria franchise understood to be in their final stages and an announcement expected within the next fortnight.
Smith's exit from Shizuoka Blue Revs was confirmed on Tuesday, ending an eight-year association with the Japanese club — originally joined as Yamaha Júbilo in 2018 — during which he made 78 appearances, earned five Top League/League One Team of the Season selections and was named League One Player of the Season in 2022-23.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann had already flagged the franchise's interest in Smith last month, alongside fellow Japan-based Springbok Malcolm Marx.
The 32-year-old holds 63 Test caps and two Rugby World Cup winners' medals. In their farewell statement, the Blue Revs described him as "one of the league's outstanding players and most influential contributors."