Malcolm Marx Biography: Age, Springboks, Kubota Spears and Return to South Africa
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Malcolm Marx at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 July 1994 |
| Age | 32 |
| Place of birth | Germiston, Gauteng |
| School | King Edward VII School (KES), Johannesburg |
| Position | Hooker |
| Height and weight | 1.89 m, 116 kg |
| Club | Kubota Spears, Japan (contract ends June 2027) |
| Springbok debut | 17 September 2016, against New Zealand in Christchurch |
| Test caps | More than 90 |
| World Cups won | 2019 and 2023 |
| Top award | World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, 2025 |
Leaving Japan: What Marx Announced
Kubota Spears confirmed the news on Friday 30 October 2026. Marx said family circumstances were the reason he decided not to renew his contract. He will finish the 2026/27 Japan Rugby League One season first, so he stays a Spears player until June 2027.
The club’s general manager, Hironori Maekawa, called him one of the world’s best players and praised his leadership.
Reports have linked Marx with the Bulls, where he would work with coach Johan Ackermann again. Neither Marx nor the Bulls had confirmed a move on 30 October 2026, so treat any club name as unconfirmed until the club announces it.
What Happens Next
| When | What |
|---|---|
| November 2026 | With the Springboks on tour, starting against Italy in Turin on Saturday 7 November |
| 13 December 2026 | Kubota Spears open their League One season at home against Shizuoka Blue Revs |
| June 2027 | Spears contract ends and he returns to South Africa |
| 1 October to 13 November 2027 | Rugby World Cup in Australia, where the Springboks defend their title |
The Springboks’ tour dates are in our November 2026 fixtures guide, which also lists the 37-man squad he is part of. The World Cup dates are in our Rugby World Cup 2027 fixtures page.
Early Life and School
Marx went to King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, where he became close friends with Dylan Smith and Kyle Brink. He played for South Africa Schools in 2012, against France and England that August, and was in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2014 Junior World Championship.
Lions and Golden Lions
He made his senior debut for the Golden Lions in the 2014 Vodacom Cup and joined the Lions’ Super Rugby squad the same year. His big breakthrough came in 2017, when he won several Lions awards. In 2018 he was the team’s top try-scorer of the season and became their joint all-time top try-scorer with 27 tries. He played 68 games for the Lions before leaving South Africa.
Six Years in Japan
Marx moved to Japan in 2020 and played for NTT Shining Arcs, then joined Kubota Spears in 2021. He has scored 41 tries in 68 games for the Spears.
| Season | With Kubota Spears |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | League One champions |
| 2024/25 | Lost in the final |
| 2025/26 | Lost in the final |
Springbok Career
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 17 September 2016 | Test debut off the bench against New Zealand in Christchurch |
| 2017 | Regular starter; SA Rugby Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year |
| 2018 | Nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year |
| 2019 | Rugby World Cup winner in Japan; Rugby Championship winner |
| 2021 | Played all three Tests of the series win over the British and Irish Lions |
| 2023 | Second World Cup medal, although a knee injury in training ended his tournament early and Handré Pollard took his place in the squad |
| 2024 | Rugby Championship winner |
| 2025 | Rugby Championship winner; World Rugby and SA Rugby Player of the Year |
| 2026 | Tries against England on 4 July and New Zealand on 5 September, both in Johannesburg |
He was picked in World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year for 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. He is best known for his ball carrying and for winning turnovers.
World Player of the Year 2025
World Rugby named Marx its Men’s 15s Player of the Year on 22 November 2025, after the Springboks beat Ireland 24-13 in Dublin that day. It came seven years after his first nomination, and he became the fourth Springbok to win the award. You can also read our profiles of his Springbok team-mates Siya Kolisi and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Malcolm Marx Questions
How old is Malcolm Marx?
He was born on 13 July 1994, so he is 32.
Is Malcolm Marx leaving Kubota Spears?
Yes. He confirmed on 30 October 2026 that he will not renew his contract, which ends in June 2027, and that he will return to South Africa because of family circumstances.
Has Malcolm Marx signed for the Bulls?
Not officially. Some media reports link him with the Bulls, but on 30 October 2026 neither he nor the club had announced a deal.
How many Rugby World Cups has Malcolm Marx won?
Two, in 2019 and 2023. He missed most of the 2023 tournament with a knee injury.
How many caps does Malcolm Marx have?
More than 90 Tests for the Springboks by October 2026. Reports in October 2026 gave either 93 or 94.
Did Malcolm Marx win World Rugby Player of the Year?
Yes, in 2025. He was also nominated in 2018.
More: Springboks fixtures November 2026, Rugby World Cup 2027, South African sport.
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