South Africa winger Kurt Lee Arendse became the latest Springbok to join a Japan Rugby League One club when Sagamihara Dynaboars announced his signing on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old former Sevens flyer, who won the 2023 World Cup and last month¡¯s Rugby Championship with South Africa, joins the Dynaboars on sabbatical from the Pretoria-based Bulls.
¡°I think the hard grounds in Japan and the general approach to the game, with its fast pace and plenty of ball movement, is going to suit me,¡± Arendse said in a news release.
¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to the rugby, but also the cultural side of the experience.¡±
Arendse is one of 11 regular Springboks scheduled to feature in the fourth season of Japan Rugby League One when it kicks off in December.
¡°You only have to look at Kurt Lee out on the field, his agility, speed, and strength to beat a defender,¡± said Dynaboars coach Glenn Delaney. ¡°He¡¯s going to be a great asset, someone everyone will learn a lot off, especially our home-grown players.¡±
The Dynaboars finished ninth in the 12-team league in the 2023-24 season, just avoiding the relegation playoffs.
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