Two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks back-row Kwagga Smith has signed a three-year contract to return to South Africa with the Bulls.
Smith brings a serial winner’s pedigree and a fearless, abrasive edge to a franchise already rich in back-row talent, the Bulls have stated.
The 33-year-old has been in two World Cup-winning squads, in 2019 and 2023. He is a ferociously talented ball winner who plays on the flank and at number eight. His athleticism and refusal to take a backward step have made him one of the most revered stars in the Springbok group.
Stalwart
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said he was delighted to team up again with the reliable Smith, having coached him previously at the Lions.
“As a youngster, he showed character and fight and integrity,” he said. “He’s a team man who has grown into a stalwart, and it’s been a privilege to watch his career unfold and establish himself as one of the best back-rows in world rugby. Wherever he goes he makes a difference, and I look forward to him contributing both on and off the field.”
Smith made his name in sevens before he did so in the 15-man game. He won Commonwealth Games gold with the Blitzboks in Glasgow in 2014 and an Olympic bronze medal in Rio in 2016. He then took that pace and aggression into the 15s game.
His first big break came at the Lions, where he was part of the side that won the 2015 Currie Cup. He moved to Japan in 2018 and has spent eight years there with Yamaha Júbilo, now rebranded as the Shizuoka Blue Revs. He kept his place in the Springbok set-up throughout and has played more than 60 Tests. His honours include the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, the 2021 series win over the British and Irish Lions, and the Rugby Championship titles of 2019, 2024 and 2025.
Smith suffered a major knee injury in May 2026, tearing his ACL and meniscus while playing for the Blue Revs. It ruled him out for the rest of the 2026 season. Medical experts have since cleared him to return to play at the end of December.
The Japan Rugby League One club confirmed on Tuesday that the back-rower could return to South Africa.
The Shizuoka Blue Revs announced that Smith’s contract had been terminated by ‘mutual agreement’ and paid tribute to the player ahead of his departure.
“Since joining Yamaha Jubilo in 2018, he has been a key player for the team for eight seasons,” the statement read.
The club added: “In addition, with his experience and achievements as a South African national team player with 63 caps, he has always been a leader and role model for the team. Kwagga Smith is an important figure who has built the club’s history and is a true representative of the league. We express our utmost respect and gratitude for his achievements to date and sincerely wish him continued success in the future.”
Proven winner
“I’m very excited to be joining,” said Smith, who mentioned that he was tracking well with his recovery. “I’m already jogging. I miss the rugby but I’m feeling good. My wife is pregnant, due in January, so the timing of joining the Vodacom Bulls is perfect. Playing under Johan Ackermann [previously] was one of my best experiences. I’m looking forward to getting back by early next year.”
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone said: “Kwagga is a proven winner who has achieved just about everything the game has to offer, and he has never lost his hunger. His work rate, physicality and fearlessness are exactly what we want in Vodacom Bulls colours. He will drive standards inside our group, and our supporters will love the way he plays.”
Smith is bound to become a popular figure at Loftus Versfeld where the Bulls have an array of talent in the back-row.