Jake White says the Vodacom Bulls are delighted to have Kurt-Lee Arendse back for the URC final, after Willie le Roux was ruled out through concussion protocol. DYLAN JACK reports.
Arendse will make his return from injury on the left wing as the Vodacom Bulls named their starting lineup for Saturday’s final against Glasgow Warriors at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld.
TEAM: Arendse returns for URC final
The 28-year-old missed the semi-finals due to a fractured facial bone he suffered in the quarter-finals.
The injury required Arendse to go under the knife and have a metal plate inserted, but the World Cup-winning outside back has been passed fit to play in the final in Pretoria, after just a week’s absence.
Kurt-Lee has some uncooked business! HE’S BACK for the Grand Final! @Vodacom #URC | #BULvGLA https://t.co/KAS9mb7LzA pic.twitter.com/lGVOg3VSIs
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) June 21, 2024
During a press conference on Friday morning, White compared the situation to that of France captain Antoine Dupont, who recovered quickly from a similar injury suffered in the 2023 World Cup pool stages to face the Springboks in the quarter-finals.
“Antoine Dupont had a cheek fracture, but played in the quarter-final against South Africa,” White said. “The doctor was impressed and really happy with how Kurt-Lee has recovered.
“Of course, you can’t target anybody’s head. It’s illegal to play a guy around the head anyway, so there’s no fear. He wants to be part of it. The doctor and specialist are happy. To have him back, especially after losing a guy with Willie’s experience, is fantastic for us.”
Arendse’s return is one of two changes to the Vodacom Bulls’ starting lineup for the final, as Le Roux will miss the game due to HIA protocols, after suffering a concussion in the second half of the semi-final win against Leinster.
Le Roux’s kicking was a key part of the Bulls’ triumph over the star-studded Leinster side, making Arendse’s recovery even more crucial.
“In the old days, and I know those are the old, old, old days, the doctor would’ve asked, ‘Can you see my fingers?’ and if Willie said yes, he would’ve been allowed to play,” White explained.
“Now with the protocols around concussion and fear around head injuries, which I understand, there’s no way we could fast-track him into the team. He failed his HIA and there is an obligatory time that you have to be off.
“Willie wants to play and says he is fine. But that’s a great sign for where we are as a group because everyone wants to be part of this final.”
Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
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Jake White says the @Vodacom Bulls are delighted to have Kurt-Lee Arendse back for the #URC final, after Willie le Roux was ruled out through concussion protocol.
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