Kurt-Lee Arendse hasn’t had an opportunity to buy Willie le Roux a coffee as yet, but he owes him one for the stunning try assist in last week’s Bulls win over the Ospreys in Wales.
The manner in which the Bulls are able to mix up their style of play in any conditions is the key to their success at the moment, and it was perfectly illustrated in their 29-19 victory in Swansea last weekend.
Le Roux received the ball outside the Ospreys 22 following an up-and-under from flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain that was won back by Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie, and the Bulls No 15 delivered a little chip into the corner that Arendse dived on to grab the bonus-point try in the 23rd minute.
It is the kind of width on their attack that has been a hallmark of their renaissance under White over the last few years, and it is something that they hope to implement once more in Friday’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Scarlets in Llanelli (8.35pm start).
Scrumhalf Embrose Papier’s thrilling 50m solo touchdown from a Ruan Nortjé lineout steal near the halfway line was another example of the various threats that the Bulls pose with ball-in-hand.
“Yes, I enjoy it, every moment I get. I think it’s credit to the forwards. They lay the foundation for us as backs, and if they can get us the momentum, we use that opportunity,” Arendse said from Cardiff yesterday.
“So, all credit to the forwards. With the type of players we’ve got, the guys see space relatively well, and that is why we as wings and backs can be so good at the end of the day.
“It doesn’t matter whether you have the ball or not, it’s about staying connected, even with the forwards (in the Papier try). You never know – maybe the ball bounces your way, then you are ready. It’s about staying connected to the play.
“Before we came on tour, we knew the conditions won’t be perfect, as it is back home. We said we must adapt, and that is what we did well over the weekend.
Training from Elrigh's POV 📸🏉 pic.twitter.com/SRzbfWUa7E
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 15, 2024
“We know that we are not going to run the ball a lot, so just adapting to the weather and being clinical (will be important).”
It was a real pity that the Bulls media manager didn’t allow questions about Arendse’s Springbok exploits this year or his impending move to Japanese club Sagamihara Dynaboars after the November tour of the UK, as both experiences are significant developments in his career.
But the 28-year-old Paarl speedster – who first made his name for UWC and then the Blitzboks – has once again impressed at international level after a superb World Cup last year, scoring four tries in 2024 to take his overall tally to 17 in 22 Tests.
Arendse will be one of the key Bok figures against Scotland, England and Wales in November before joining his Japanese club, but he first wants to finish strongly at the Bulls before that, starting with the Scarlets on Friday.
“In the past, we didn’t really do that well on tour. This time, we said we want to have a good tour,” he said.
“It’s always difficult away from home, but we said we want some points and make sure we go back home with a good record on tour.
“The Scarlets are playing well and will definitely want to prove a point. We must just focus on what we did wrong last weekend, and keep them out.
“I think we are in a good space at the moment. With guys getting game-time in the Currie Cup, it did some of the guys well.”