Springbok forward Vermeulen heads for Japan
Springbok backrow forward Duane Vermeulen on Thursday left three-time European champions Toulon and signed a deal to play with Japanese team Kubota Spears.
South African media had expected the 31-year-old No8 to return home to boost his chances of playing in the 2019 World Cup, also to be staged in Japan.
However, with coach Rassie Erasmus easing the conditions governing Boks stars who play club rugby abroad, the 42-time capped Vermeulen is free to leave for Asia without jeopardising his international career.
Vermeulen had returned to the national team last November after a year's absence and featured in the recent home series against England.