VIDEO - 'A massive loss': Jake White on the model to keep his stars

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White says Kurt-Lee Arendse's short stint in Japan is another example of the sacrifices he is willing to make to keep his stars.

The Springbok speedster will head to the Far East for five months as part of a sabbatical that was granted to him by the Pretoria franchise.

Arendse will join the Sagamihara DynaBoars in Japan from December 1 until April (2025).

It is similar to the sabbatical that was granted to co-captain Marcel Coetzee between 2022 and 2023.

During a United Rugby Championship round table, White admitted that it would be hard to fill Arendse's shoes.

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"It's a massive loss in that he has won Player of the Year three years in a row at the Bulls and he has won Players' Player of the Year two out of those three years as well," said White.

"It means the group sees him as important as the coaches and the fans do."

However, White also explained the bright side of the deal as well.

"It's a massive loss, but you must understand the model we work in.

"We have to afford our players those opportunities to keep them in the country, otherwise you are going to have a mass exodus of players wanting to make money overseas.

"So, that is a give and take there."

The Bulls were scheduled to face the Stormers in their URC opener on September 21 before it was rescheduled for early 2025, due to the Currie Cup Final being staged on the same day.

The Pretoria side will face the Sharks in the Currie Cup semifinals this weekend.

@rugby365com

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