Overview
- De Jager has been named to start for the Saitama Wild Knights in Saturday’s Japan Rugby League One third-place playoff against Tokyo Sungoliath, marking his first game of 2026 and his first outing since a red card in November 2025.
- The 33-year-old underwent hip surgery earlier this year and had been expected back in August, so this earlier return represents a faster-than-expected recovery.
- RugbyPass reports De Jager will remain with the Wild Knights next season, which keeps him match-ready in Japan and available for selection discussion with the Springboks.
- South Africa’s second-row depth has been weakened by RG Snyman’s season-ending ACL and a wider list of injured players with staggered recovery timelines, meaning many internationals are unlikely to be ready for early July Tests.
- Saturday’s match also doubles as Cheslin Kolbe’s final appearance for Tokyo Sungoliath and Kolbe enters the game as the league’s leading points scorer, while De Jager’s minutes could influence Erasmus’s selection choices for the upcoming international window.