White hails Montpellier's Springboks

White, who coached the Springboks to the 2007 World Cup title, watched his side crush Grenoble 51-10 with a bonus point, seven-try romp which kept Montpellier in second spot in the table, two off the lead held by Clermont.

They are already assured of a place in the end-of-season shake-up and have made the European Challenge Cup final where they will face Harlequins next month.

"This squad proves there is a fine cohesion between the French and South African players. This is not a surprise for me – only for you," said 53-year-old White.

There are currently 12 South African players in the Montpellier squad and seven started Saturday's game.

But only four French players featured in the match-day 15 alongside two Georgians, a New Zealander and a Fijian.

"I am happy with this victory," added White. "It's good for confidence, for the standings and for our chances of winning the Challenge Cup.

"Before the season, if you had said that we'd be in a European final and in the top six, we would have taken that. Now we must continue to win to avoid having to play in the play-offs."

If Montpellier, who have never won the French title, maintain a top-two spot to the end of the regular season then they would go directly to the semifinals.

Agence France-Presse