30 October 2026
Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx confirmed that he will return to South Africa at the end of the 2026/27 Japanese season. While widespread media reports heavily link the 94-cap international with a move to the Vodacom Bulls, the Pretoria-based franchise has not officially confirmed the signing.
A potential move to Loftus Versfeld would reunite the powerhouse hooker with Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann, who previously mentored him at the Lions.
In a statement, Marx cited family reasons for his decision not to renew his contract past the 2026-27 season, expressing deep gratitude to the Kubota Spears and the community for their support.
“Due to family circumstances, I have made the difficult decision not to renew my contract beyond the 2026-27 season and to return to South Africa,” Marx said in a statement. “My time with the Spears has been an invaluable experience for both me and my family, and one that we will always look back on fondly."
Kubota general manager Hironori Maekawa praised Marx’s immense contribution to the Japanese outfit. “As one of the world’s best players, Malcolm has brought countless victories and memorable moments to this club,” Maekawa said.
“Beyond his outstanding performances on the field, his team-first attitude, consideration for his teammates and leadership in consistently setting high standards have left an invaluable legacy at the club. His achievement of winning the World Rugby Player of the Year award as a member of the Spears is also a tremendous source of pride for the club and the Orange Army.”
“Regarding his contract, the club and Malcolm have held numerous discussions about his future. We respect Malcolm's desire to spend more time with his family moving forward, having competed at the highest level of world rugby for many years while shouldering significant responsibilities for both the club and the South African national team. As a result, we have mutually agreed to go our separate ways when his contract expires, with both parties moving on to their next chapter,” Hironori Maekawa concluded.
Marx added that he remains fiercely committed to finishing his stint in Japan on a high note. “My focus is now fully on the upcoming season, and I will continue to give everything I have for the team to ensure we bring this journey to the best possible conclusion,” he stated.
