Bok lands in Japan

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has landed in Japan for his new assignment in a green jersey.

Arendse travelled to Japan to join League One club Sagamihara Dynaboars.

The 2023 World Cup winner Arendse travelled to Japan directly from Cardiff after the Springboks’ 45-12 win over Wales last weekend.

The star was vital in the Nations Series encounter, scoring his 18th international try and also his first against Wales.

The 28-year-old arrived in Japan on Tuesday and will spend five months with the club as part of a sabbatical that was granted to him by the Bulls.

本日、遂にカート＝リー・アレンゼ選手が日本到着❗️

イギリスでの南アフリカ代表遠征から直接来てくれました🇿🇦
成田空港でエージェントの皆さんとお出迎え。

明日は早速、神奈川県の黒岩知事を表敬訪問し、そのまま来日記者会見の予定です！ pic.twitter.com/V2LxpWFDz0

— 三菱重工相模原ダイナボアーズ (@DYNABOARS) November 26, 2024

Arendse is one of several players from the Rugby Championship winners who will participate in this season’s League One tournament.

Other names eventually heading to Japan are Kwagga Smith, Damian De Allende and Jesse Kriel just to name a few.

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Arendse’s loan deal was confirmed in October ahead of the Springboks’ Nations Series campaign.

At the time, Dynaboars coach Glen Delaney stated the acquisition of the experienced wing would be a big boost for his side, as well as providing something special for the fans.

“You only have to look at Kurt-Lee out on the field, his agility, speed, and strength to beat a defender. He’s going to be a great asset, someone everyone will learn a lot from, especially our home-grown players,” Delaney said.

“As a coaching group, we are looking forward to working with him to get the best out of his ability.

“We have no doubt our Japanese fans will love the way he plays the game, and we know he will be fully engaged in getting to know them.

“To have a player of his calibre choose the Dynaboars is a vote of confidence for our team and a massive statement of intent from our club.

“Japan Rugby League One is rapidly developing in terms of its competitiveness and it is going to continue to attract leading players from around the world because of that.

“Signings such as this are a great advertisement, not just for the Dynaboars, but for the league itself.”