Springboks superstar Kurt-Lee Arendse was unveiled by League One outfit Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars in Kanagawa on Wednesday morning.
Arendse, 28, arrived in Tokyo on Monday night following the conclusion of South Africa’s European tour on Saturday when the back-to-back world champions inflicted a 12th consecutive loss on hapless Wales in Cardiff.
The 2023 World Cup winner, who crossed in the first half at the Principality Stadium, has joined Glenn Delaney’s side for the 2024-2025 campaign and remains under contract to URC outfit the Bulls for a further two years.
“I’ve been wanting to come to Japan for a while,” said the former sevens star.
"The Bulls released me to play in Japan after I asked them and I‘m happy for the opportunity. I’m really excited to learn the culture and what it’s like to be in Japan.”
Arendse admitted the only offer for his services from a League One side was from the Dynaboars and he jumped at the chance to join a host of his countrymen in Japan such as Jesse Kriel, Faf de Klerk (both Yokohama Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) and newly-crowned World Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz).
“I was only considering the Dynaboars, it was the only offer here. The first offer I got, I took it and I’m grateful to them.”
Despite being in the country for less than 24 hours, Arendse has already spoken of his desire to extend his stay beyond one season and has discussed his intentions with the Dynaboars’ management team.
"I’d love to stay longer, if I got the opportunity, I have another 2 years at the Bulls but if I can stay longer here, I’d love to. I’ll give my best for the team for the time I’m here.”
The wing wizard is still riding a high from South Africa’s all-conquering year which saw them power to Rugby Championship glory and blood a new crop of budding young stars during the Autumn Nations Series.
“We (Springboks) had a really good season, it was one of the best so far, there’s been a lot of players given opportunities in the Springboks squad, it was a chance for the coaches to give a lot of players chances. There’s a lot of older guys in the squad as well. The plan was to get more younger guys involved. The younger players really put up their hands this season. I think it's great for South African rugby.”
Arendse is looking to savour his Japan experience and revealed that his interest in the country intensified through an unlikely source.
“I'm really looking forward to seeing the sumo wrestling. I watched the Netflix series, Sanctuary (Japanese sports drama). I found it very interesting. I’m excited to go and see what that’s like.
“I like how the sumo guys take responsibility and fight to become legends of the sport. It was fascinating. The guy wasn’t good in school but he could fight really good so when he heard he can become a sumo wrestler than he gave himself a chance but he wasn’t that disciplined so he had to start to take responsibility and train and put in the hard work.
“Also, the people here are very respectful and humble. I want to learn the language and experience the food, some of the Springboks guys that play here said the food is amazing.”
The humble League One newcomer, who weighs 80kg and is 5ft 9in, described what attributes he’ll bring top Japan’s star-laden top-flight which kicks off on December 21.
“I’m not one of the biggest players but I’ve got a bit of speed and skill. I think if I contribute what I’ve learned over the years in rugby and give back to the Dynaboars system, then that will be amazing.”
While Arendse will come up against teammates Kriel and de Klerk in the Kanagawa derby against Yokohama Canon Eagles on 18 January, international interest in League One could peak next season when the former comes up against his fellow South Africa wing Kolbe - who was named in World Rugby's Team of The Year - on March 9 in Kyoto.
“It’s always exciting to play against fellow teammates. Always competitive. It will be tough but I've seen the Dynaboars players have been putting in the hard work in pre-season.
“A lot of young players can learn from Cheslin and the way he plays.”
The Dynaboars finished ninth (out of 12 teams) last season with a record of six wins and 10 losses and narrowly avoided being drawn into a relegation play-off.
They now have one of the game’s biggest talents on their books and a marquee, crowd-pleasing name which they have lacked in recent seasons.
Arendse simplified why the club - who lured former World Player of the Year Shane Williams to Japan in 2012 for two seasons - appeals to him.
"The Dynaboars play in green, I like playing in green. They are building something big. They have a young group and they’re only going to improve.”
His greatest triumph in a green jersey was last year’s World Cup triumph in France and that success is still at the forefront of his mind.
“Winning the World Cup was something special as I never thought I’d be part of something like that.
“The group of players we had, that was a special group. What I’ve learnt being in the Springboks environment is if you make a mistake, don’t take more than two or three seconds thinking about it. Make sure you take your chances and enjoy every minute of it. Rugby is what we enjoy and love.”
Arendse has also enjoyed notable individual success after winning the Investec Champions Cup Players Player of the Year, the United Rugby Championship Player of the Year and the Bulls Player of The Year awards in 2024.
Despite another gruelling season for the Bulls and his country, Arendse is already thinking about the club’s season opener on December 22 against Greig Laidlaw’s newly-promoted Urayasu D-Rocks whose impressive squad includes fellow Springbok Jasper Wiese.
“I will be in good condition for opening game. The last few months was tough but a good experience. By being in the Springboks environment, you always get better and your rugby does. What I’ve learned from there I’ll use while I’m at the Dynaboars.”
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