KLA edges Kolbe in Japan

Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe starred in a duel between Springbok flyers as South African talent was showcased in Japan’s League One at the weekend.

Cheslin Kolbe scored a try for Suntory Sungoliath on his return to action, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 34–22 defeat to Kurt Lee Arendse’s Mitsubishi Dynaboars. Khutha Mchunu made his debut for Dynaboars and he was joined in the starting lineup by countryman Walt Steenkamp.

READ: Mchunu takes Japan detour

South African speedsters tearing it up in Japan⚡️

Cheslin Kolbe @CheslinKolbe @sungoliath
Kurt-Lee Arendse @DYNABOARS

And keep an eye on Khutha Mchunu, the newest 🇿🇦 addition to Dynaboars 🐗👀 #NTTLeagueOne
pic.twitter.com/p5hK2yruXE

— JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE (@LeagueOne_EN) March 17, 2025

Several Saffas contributed to a 33-22 comeback win for Kubota Spears against Urayasu D-Rocks. Malcolm Marx put in a Man of the Match performance off the bench, scoring his third try in as many games. David Bulbring and Rikus Pretorius also crossed the whitewash for Spears, with Tyler Paul, Ruan Botha and Merwe Olivier featuring for the winning side too. Bok bruiser Jasper Wiese and Lourens Erasmus packed down for D-Rocks.

Kwagga Smith led Shizuoka Blue Revs to a surprise 22-17 win over Saitama Wild Knights. It was a first defeat of the season for Wild Knights, reinforced by Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende, while Smith was joined in the Blue Revs starting lineup by Sylvain Mahuza.

Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel were both in the starting lineup for Yokohama Canon Eagles in their 27-20 defeat to Black Rams Tokyo, while Franco Mostert’s Honda Heat suffered a heavy 47-5 defeat at the hands of Kobe Steelers. Dawid Kellerman scored the Heat’s solitary try, and Janko Swanepoel came off the bench.

Photo: Twitter / @LeagueOne_EN