Malcolm Marx and Manie Libbok have both confirmed moves back to South Africa from Japan, with the Bulls and Sharks announcing the Springbok World Cup winners on the same day.

Marx will join the Bulls from Kubota Spears on a long-term deal from July 2027, while Libbok will leave Hanazono Kintetsu Liners to return to the Sharks, whom he represented before joining the Stormers in 2021, on a multi-year contract.

The moves add to a growing flow of Springboks returning from Japan. Cheslin Kolbe has already linked up with the Stormers this season after leaving Tokyo Sungoliath, while Kwagga Smith will also head to the Bulls from Shizuoka Blue Revs.

Marx, 32, confirmed last month that he would leave Kubota at the end of the season for family reasons, sparking interest in where the 94-cap hooker would land.

The Sharks had emerged as a possible destination following Bongi Mbonambi’s move to the Stormers, but Marx will instead reunite with Johan Ackermann, who handed him his Super Rugby debut at the Lions.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join such a historic and respected club as the Vodacom Bulls next season,” Marx said.

“It is an exciting new chapter for me, and I look forward to reconnecting and working alongside former teammates and coaches. I am eager to contribute wherever I can, bring and play my part in helping the Bulls achieve their goals and ambitions. I look forward to the journey ahead and to being part of this special club.”

Libbok, meanwhile, will begin a second spell in Durban after previously representing the Sharks during the 2020/21 season.

“For this next chapter of my career, there is no club I would rather be joining than the Sharks,” the fly-half said.

“This is an iconic club with a proud history, there’s real excitement about the future, and I want to be part of what’s being built here. When I chatted with JP and heard his vision for the team, I knew straight away that there’s something special developing here, and I want to be part of it.

“You can feel the new energy and the culture building, and this is a club that isn’t afraid to do things differently. I’m all in.”

The World Cup-winning pair have both been named in Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks team to face Italy in Turin on Saturday, with Marx starting and Libbok named on the bench.