French take on Sharks' Euro venture
INTERVIEW: South African sides the Stormers and the Sharks will compete in the Champions Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, in a first for the country.
Until this season the competition, launched in 1995 as Rugby Union turned professional, was reserved for European clubs.
The Stormers from Cape Town, Sharks from Durban and Pretoria’s Bulls made their debuts in December’s pool stage.
The Sharks visit record five-time winners Toulouse in the quarterfinals, who overcame the Bulls in last weekend’s Round of 16.
Siyamthanda Kolisi’s side beat Munster last Saturday in Durban and faced a long journey after numerous visits north during their United Rugby Championship campaign.
The difficulty of booking flights at short notice meant the squad was split into two for a trip that lasted almost 24 hours.
“We don’t complain, but the players’ comfort comes second,” Sharks assistant coach Yannick Bru told French radio station RMC Sport this week.
“It’s pointless to say that we travel in business class,” the former France and Toulouse hooker added.
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Cleared for takeoff ✈️#FearTheFin pic.twitter.com/Z5uSdlclc6
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 5, 2023
Kolisi’s team will be missing scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and lock Eben Etzebeth for the trip to Stade Ernest-Wallon.
The pair suffered shoulder injuries during the Sharks’ 50-35 defeat of Munster last week.
Etzebeth did not come out for the second half and while his injury is not serious, he won’t be fit by Saturday.
Hendrikse suffered his injury while scoring a first-half try and will be sidelined for 10 weeks.
“Munster don’t have world-class players in each position. That is the case though with Toulouse,” Bru said before facing the likes of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
“I know that danger comes from everywhere and we’re not favourites,” he added.
Later on Saturday, the Stormers visit 2020 champions Exeter, who beat Top 14 title holders Montpellier on tries scored after extra time in the last round.
Stalwarts at the English club, including No.8 Sam Simmonds and wing Jack Nowell, will leave Sandy Park at the end of the campaign.
The Chiefs’ Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg will retire after this year’s World Cup.
“Saturday doesn’t win it for us but it puts us in a good spot,” Exeter centre Henry Slade told the BBC on Monday.
“We want to send those boys out on a high and to do that we’re going to have to beat a hell of a Stormers team on Saturday,” he added.
Good Friday
Elsewhere, four-time winners Leinster welcome Premiership champions Leicester to Lansdowne Road on Friday in front of a restricted crowd of 27,000 in Dublin.
The Irish province filled the 52,000-capacity stadium for last Saturday’s win over Ulster but they will have had just five working days to sell tickets for the fixture on a busy Easter weekend due to the tournament’s scheduling.
Around 500 Tigers fans will travel to the Irish capital for a rerun of 2009’s final.
On Sunday, champions La Rochelle will host three-time winners Saracens as Australia lock Will Skelton welcomes his former side to the Atlantic coast.
