Spies ready for next chapter

Cape Town - Former Bulls and Springbok No 8 Pierre Spies is ready to continue his rugby career in Japan and France.

Spies was in action this past weekend when he started for the World XV during their 45-20 victory over Japan in Tokyo.

The 30-year-old loose forward delivered an impressive performance, making a good impact on attack and defence, while also creating try-scoring opportunities.

Spies was linked to a Springbok call-up following South Africa’s early injury crisis in the loose forward department during the early stages of the Test season, but national coach Heyneke Meyer decided to stick to the players he had in his squad during the Rugby Championship and recent Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires last weekend.

Following his departure from the Bulls after an 11-year stint in Pretoria, Spies is ready make the most of his opportunities in Japan and France, where he’ll play for the Kintetsu Liners and Jake White’s Montpellier respectively.

“The future definitely looks exciting,” Spies told MyPlayers.co.za. “I didn’t know much about Japan before I received the offer, but I managed to speak to a couple of players who have been there before and they only had good things to say about life over there.

“They said the rugby structures are world class, especially in terms of player management on and off the field, and you have the benefit of spending more time with your family, which I’m really excited about.

“I never thought I’d end up in Europe,” he added, focusing on his move to Montpellier. “I’ve been blessed with a great opportunity and I plan to make the most of it. I can’t wait to experience the French and European competitions, a foreign lifestyle and the opportunity to win international trophies.”

Spies will join the Kintetsu Liners ahead of the Japanese club season, before joining Montpellier on a two-year contract early next year.

Spies will be part of a strong South African contingent at the French club, as he will feature alongside props Jacobie Adriaanse, Jannie du Plessis, CJ van der Linde and Schalk van der Merwe, hooker Bismarck du Plessis, locks Jacques du Plessis and Paul Willemse, flank Wiaan Liebenberg, scrumhalf Cameron White, flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis and centre Robert Ebersohn.

In Japan, Spies joins Springbok centre Damian de Allende at the Kintetsu Liners.

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