Longdrop delayed in Japan

The Bulls will wait another two weeks before they can utilise their globe-trotting utility back Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Brenden Nel, Sport24

As luck would have it, Van der Westhuyzen’s Japanese club NEC Rockets are still in the final rounds of the Japanese competition, and the former Springbok flyhalf will need to finish his commitments in Japan before he can link up with the Bulls.

Ironically Van der Westhuyzen’s club finished 10th in the Japanese League, but through their complicated playoff system, they won two playoff matches to stay in with a chance for the title.

Then, in their third playoff match, they won with a last minute penalty against the Kubota Spears, leaving themselves on the right side of a 22-21 scoreline.

This past weekend, NEC Green Rockets drew 10-all with Suntory Sungoliaths in their next playoff match, but after a result couldn’t be determined, luck was again on their side as captain Nili Latu chose the right side of the coin when the result was decided on a coin toss.

As strange as that may seem – determining the outcome of a game on a heads or tails call – the Green Rockets are now in the next round which means Van der Westhuyzen is only likely to arrive back home in a few weeks time, depending on the results of the playoffs.