CHAMPIONS CUP: South Africans who'll be in action in European semifinals

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers, the Bulls, the Lions, and the Sharks are out of contention for both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup, but there will still be a South African flavour to the European semifinals on Saturday and Sunday.

We look at nine South African players who will be in action this weekend.

Champions Cup

Leinster: (Coach: Jacques Nienaber) v Toulon

David Ribbans (Toulon)

South Africans may not have fond memories of Ribbans, given the instrumental role he played in the Stormers’ heartbreaking 27-28 defeat to Toulon in the Champions Cup Round of 16, especially as he was named Player of the Match, but there’s no denying his abilities.

Athleticism, physicality, an engine that doesn’t stop, line-out expertise, and an impressive skillset that holds ball-carrying and passing ability distinguish him from a run-of-the-mill tight-five forward. Ribbans is a man to watch for multiple reasons.

He will be a key figure in Toulon’s first Champions Cup appearance in 11 years.

Bordeaux Bègles v Bath: (Coach: Johann van Graan)

Carlü Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles)

The front-row juggernaut has walked quite a road – from journeying between the Stormers, the Lions, and the Sharks, to overcoming the life-threatening injury he sustained in a scrum against Lyon last year.

Now, Bordeaux’s scrum anchor faces a different kind of challenge, one that involves getting the edge in a shoving battle against fellow countryman, formidable scrummager Thomas du Toit.

Thomas du Toit (Bath)

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that The Tank is known for his world-class abilities and rugby rarities, and it’s tough to decide which one is the most impressive – his abilities as a ‘swinger’, or the try-scoring machine persona he created as he racked up 21 tries in 55 appearances for Bath to set a new Premiership try-scoring record for a forward (a front-row forward at that).

His try stats paint a clear picture of the attacking threat he brings. After all, one can’t always just happen to be in the right place at the right time; it’s his work rate and carrying that get him into those prime spots.

Bells and whistles aside, Bath’s scrum is a major element in their play, and Du Toit will again be the most vital cog in their scrum operation.

Francois van Wyk (Bath)

It will be crucial that the Bellville-borne loosehead build on the contributions of the starting front row, and while Bath have every reason to be confident that the duo of Du Toit and Beno Obano will make an impact early on, the impact Bordeaux have been known to bring off the bench, especially in the front row, cannot be written off.

And that’s where Van Wyk comes in.

It should be a familiar task for the 35-year-old. who has come to be known as an impact player off the bench.

*Also read: Champions Cup semifinals: Teams and Predictions

Quinn Roux (Bath)

Roux was a standout on defence in Bath’s 43-41 quarterfinal spectacle against Northampton Saints, who led 28-7 at The Rec after just 21 minutes.

They went 35-14 up after 30 minutes, but Bath refused to go down and narrowed their deficit to just nine points at halftime.

Bath produced a superb defensive outing to deny the opposition any more visits to their try line after the break, and Roux was at the centre of that defensive effort as he made 11 tackles in the 47 minutes before his substitution.

If he manages to copy and paste that element of his game and add in his characteristic physicality and lineout prowess, it will certainly help Bath’s chances.

Challenge Cup

Ulster v Exeter Chiefs

Juarno Augustus (Ulster)

Trokkie was an exciting sight with ball in hand during his time with the Stormers, and not much has changed.

An exhilarating No.8 who perfectly combines hard graft with soft touches, Augustus is nicknamed Trokkie for a reason – he knows how to use his powerful running to devastating effect.

If gainline domination, continuity, and relentless effort are what Ulster seek, Augustus is their man. But they, of course, know that by now.

Joseph Dweba (Exeter)

Explosive, mobile, high-energy, exciting.

Those are some of the adjectives that come to mind when one hears the Exeter Chiefs hooker’s name, and while most of those words can be connected to the rampage he can cause for the opposition in open play, don’t make the mistake of undermining his abilities in the grittier parts of the game.

The former Stormers and Cheetahs front-rower’s (although nobody would be able to blame you for mistaking him for a loose forward) attacking skills in the loose and his grind on defence give him an all-round edge.

If this game comes down to a moment of brilliance or a something-from-nothing situation, best believe Dweba was involved in some or other way.

Ethan Burger (Exeter)

“Very young” may not be the most accurate description when describing a 25-year-old rugby player, but in prop years, it probably is.

The Tuks Rugby graduate boasts an impressive arsenal away from the scrum, where he packs down as a loose head, as well.

Strong ball-carrying and breakdown work are key elements in his game, and it will be exciting to see how he fares in a high-stakes game like this one.

Montpellier v Dragons

Tinus de Beer (Dragons)

A strong tactical kicking game is always an asset, even more so when it comes to play-off rugby, especially against a clinical side like Montpellier.

While kicking reliability isn’t the only thing the flyhalf brings, it will be one of the most important factors on the day.