Rugby sensation and University of the Western Cape (UWC) alumnus, Kurt-Lee Arendse, will be making his debut for the Boks vs Wales on Saturday.

The 25-year-old from Paarl played for Boland Under-18 and for Western Province Under-19 before joining UWC in 2017. He joins a handful of former UWC students who have donned green and gold for the Springboks. 

His coach while at UWC, Lionel Langenhoven, said it was a proud moment for all at the University. When Kurt-Lee arrived at UWC as a young man from Paarl he wasn’t any different from the other players who made the UWC rugby team. Langenhoven says he quickly distinguished himself with each and every training session and games that followed. He showed dedication and self-discipline for the game. He was a humble soul who more than deserved this opportunity coming his way, said Langenhoven.

UWC Director of Sports, Mandla Gagayi, shared Langenhoven’s sentiments, “He is indeed a humble soul. UWC Sport is forever proud of what Kurt-Lee has achieved. Coming to UWC as a very young and shy rugby player with lots of discipline. The signs were always there that he would make it to the big stages. We wish him the very best.”

The late UWC rugby coach and Springbok legend Chester Williams made no secret that he was particularly fond of Kurt-Lee, who was to be a major feature of the University’s inaugural Varsity Cup squad. Kurt-Lee’s time with that 2019 UWC Varsity Cup squad was short-lived however because he was soon called up for the Springbok 7s duty where he performed with acclaim before joining the Blue Bulls franchise.

Williams said of Kurt-Lee’s call up at the time: “His selection shows that UWC is able to produce quality rugby players who are capable of properly representing their country. This is an opportunity to tell the world out there that the University of the Western Cape can produce a stream of rugby players who can add value to South Africa.”