Kurt-Lee Arendse set to head to Japan

The Bulls have given Kurt-Lee Arendse approval to take up a short-term sabbatical to Japan which will see him miss most of the upcoming season.

According to South African Sunday newspaper Rapport, the Bulls have given Arendse the thumbs up to make a short-term move to Japanese club Mitsubishi Dynaboars to boost his salary.

Arendse, who has been with the Bulls since 2020, is expected to be back at the Bulls after the Rugby Championship, but will leave for Japan in December.

The 28-year-old will play in Japan’s League One from December until May and will return to Pretoria in time for the URC playoffs. Arendse is still contracted with the Bulls until 2026.

The Bulls will open their campaign on 20 September with a north-south derby against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town. The URC playoffs are scheduled to take place on the weekend of 30 May.

Arendse’s move is similar to the one granted to Lukhanyo Am by the Sharks, when the Springbok centre played six games for Kobe Steelers in 2022.