Kwagga Smith has terminated his contract with Shizuoka Blue Revs by mutual consent and is set to join the Vodacom Bulls, with the Pretoria franchise confirming contract negotiations are at an "advanced stage" and a formal announcement expected within weeks.
Smith, who has been sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected to return to the field until January, spent eight seasons in Japan — joining what was then Yamaha Jubilo in 2018. During that time he won the Best XV award five times across the Top League and League One eras, and was named Player of the Season in 2022-23.
The move would reunite Smith with Bulls coach Johan Ackermann, under whom he played at the Lions. The signing is understood to be driven partly by Smith's desire to play domestic rugby ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The Bulls' loose forward depth chart is already well-stocked, featuring Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw in the current Springbok squad, along with Marcell Coetzee, Jeandre Rudolph, Hanro Liebenberg, Celimpilo Gumede and Nama Xaba. Smith's addition would bring leadership and World Cup-winning experience to a group that is already one of the strongest in the URC.
Ackermann has also confirmed the Bulls are in discussions with Malcolm Marx, with the Sharks competing for the hooker's signature.