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Springboks scrumhalf Fourie du Preez will join a club in Japan after the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Du Preez, South Africa’s 2009 player of the year who turns 28 next week, has extended his contracts with the defending Super 14 champion Vodacom Bulls and the Springboks.

He signed with his province until the end of next year’s new Super 15 competition and also extended his Springbok contract by a year. Du Preez said on Wednesday that he would then head to Japan after the 2011 season and has already considered coaching.

“After 11 years at the Bulls, I am affording myself the opportunity to change the scenery and to expose myself to a different culture. This contract will allow me that,” Du Preez said on the Bulls’ Web site.

“I think I can learn a lot and broaden my horizons in the game at the same time, which will help should I opt for a career in coaching later on in my life.”

The scrumhalf, who first played for the Bulls in 2001 and made his Super League debut two years later, won the Super 14 in 2007 and 2009 as well as the 2007 World Cup. He has also won three domestic Currie Cups with the Bulls.

“These were the best rugby years of my life and I could never have played for another union,” he said. “By revealing my plans for the future now, it will give the Bulls sufficient time to plan for the future and possible successors.”

Du Preez has won 55 caps for the Springboks and was a key player in the series win over the British and Irish Lions, plus South Africa’s Tri-Nations triumph last year.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said Du Preez was one of the architects of the success of the Bulls in recent years.

Du Preez has scored 90 points in 89 Super matches, and 65 points in 55 tests for the Springboks after making his international debut in 2004. 

Associated Press