SuperBok of the week: Kurt-Lee Arendse

While so much focus has been elsewhere this season, including at the absence of superstar Cheslin Kolbe, the diminutive Kurt-Lee Arendse has shot through not only to establish himself as a permanent fixture in the Springbok squad, but also as a massive threat to opposition defences.

Few would have thought that the rise to fame of Arendse, who a few seasons ago was stuck playing Varsity Sevens for UWC that he would now be one of the key linchpins in the Springbok attack.

And he hasn’t let a chance go by. From the impressive performances in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship for the Bulls to his impressive debut for the Springboks, Arendse has grown with every second on the sporting field. And it is a growth that has only accelerated.

Against France, he looked dangerous. But against Italy this weekend he came in and underlined his value to a Bok attack that has new possibilities and a number of new threats for opposition to try and counter.

From his opening try against the Italians, where he ducked under the last tackle to roll over and score despite the cover defence looking to have smothered him to his second try that gave the Boks the momentum they needed to start to rack up a big score against the Italians, Arendse was simply class on the night.

But it was the time he could have gotten his hat-trick, where he had a clear view of the line and few would have bet against him scoring that he would have impressed the Bok management the most. Arendse summed up the situation and then gave a beauty of an inside pass to Cobus Reinach, who scored closer to the posts.

The unselfish act in a team game is worth gold rather than individual glory.

In all, Arendse’s stats for the day tell a story of creating chaos in the opposition defence. He had 14 carries for a massive 174 metres, four clean breaks and four defenders beaten, although that last stat may even have been more.

Add six tackles to his defensive stats and a turnover won and he clearly had an exceptional game.

Coach Jacques Nienaber was gushing about his back three afterwards, especially Arendse.

"I think they were outstanding today, especially Kurt-Lee," Nienaber said.

"We've got some exciting outside backs and you can also measure Mapimps in there. We've had a good group that's developed over this year, and you also have to factor in Canan Moodie.

"We've got nice competition there and there's also Sbu Nkosi, but I thought tonight, they got the balance right in terms of asking questions of the defence and exploiting space at the back."

But on the night Arendse deserved every plaudit. And with every metre made, etched himself into Springbok folklore a little more.

Cheslin Kolbe is no longer the diminutive strike force alone, he now has a world-class partner. And that is why Arendse is our SuperBok of the week.