Big in Japan? Kurt-Lee Arendse reportedly set to link up with Japanese club

The diminutive winger, currently signed with the Bulls until 2026, is one of the hottest properties in World Rugby. Arendse has notched up no less than 17 tries in his 19 Test matches for the Boks, most recently bagging a brace against Australia in Brisbane.

Now, the Rapport newspaper claims that the Pretoria franchise has agreed to a loan deal for the hot-stepper in order to boost his salary. The publication understands that Ardense will link up with Japan League One's Mitsubishi Dynaboars in December, finally returning in May 2025.

This leaves him available for Bok selection for the end-of-year tour to Europe. While Arendse looks set to miss the vast majority of the Bulls' season, he will be back in time for the United Rugby Championship playoffs, should the Bulls make it, in late May. 

It is a blow to the Bulls, but the powers that be seem to have taken a pragmatic approach in the hope of holding on to one of their stars for the long term. While Arendse's absence will be felt, the Bulls have decent depth in the backline with Boks Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux, as well as the in-form Sergeal Petersen and David Kriel. 

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