South Africa: Kurt-Lee Arendse preparing for tough challenge on Springboks’ end-of-year tour

Springboks outside back Kurt-Lee Arendse is turning his attentions to the end-of-year tour to Europe and is hoping to be in the selection mix after returning to action in Saturday’s win over Argentina in Durban.

The 26-year-old came off the replacements bench in that encounter and celebrated the Boks’ 38-21 triumph over Los Pumas with a well-taken try in that Test’s closing stages.

Arendse missed the bulk of this year’s Rugby Championship due to a four-week suspension after receiving a red card in South Africa‘s 26-10 victory over New Zealand in their tournament opener in Mbombela.

He admitted that losing out on the Rugby Championship title to the All Blacks was disappointing but said winning three successive Tests would boost the Boks’ confidence ahead of their European tour.

South Africa are set to face Ireland, France, Italy, and England and with the Irish, French and English being amongst the top five teams in the world, Arendse feels the Boks have to be at their best from the start of the tour.

“It would be fantastic to be back in the mix for the year-end tour,” said Arendse. “It’s going to be a tough tour against challenging opposition, so it would be great to have the opportunity to test ourselves against them.”

Rugby Championship disappointment

Arendse added: “It was very disappointing for the team that we couldn’t secure the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, but it would be great if we could carry the momentum of winning our three Tests into the tour.

“The Castle Lager Rugby Championship is a tough competition, and we are expecting the same from the teams we will face in November, so it will be important to leave South Africa in form and with some confidence and winning momentum.”

Arendse was delighted to be back in the fold for the final Test against Argentina after his suspension and said is hoping to be selected for the Boks’ tour.

“It is very special to be part of this group of players,” he said. “I was out and Canan (Moodie) came in and did the job on the wing, so it was good to be back for the final Test, and that made scoring the try even more special.”

“In my time off it made me think a lot about my rugby, what I would like to improve on and reflect on a few things. So, it was good for me, and it made it made me even more hungry to return to action.”

South Africa’s Test players departed for their respective franchises after Saturday’s Test win over Argentina, and while some of them will enjoy a short break, others will represent their franchises in the next few weeks before the Bok squad assembles for their preparation camp ahead of the year-end tour at the end of October.

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