The Vodacom Bulls are reportedly in negotiations to extend captain Marcell Coetzee’s contract and would be willing to let the loose forward play in Japan as part of a new deal.

Coetzee’s current contract with the Bulls runs until 2024 and, according to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Coetzee’s agent is currently in talks with Kobe Steelers – the club that recently took Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am on a short-term loan – over a potential move.

The Bulls are said to be willing to let Coetzee take a short-term sabbatical, if he extends his contract with the Pretoria team until 2026.

A factor in the negotiation revolves around Coetzee having joined the Bulls from Ulster with the expectation that he would be recalled to the Springbok squad, but he was not even considered for the recent alignment camps.

The Bulls are open to allowing Coetzee to recoup some of the missed income by playing in Japan.