Kruger relishing Northampton return
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Racing Metro and Springbok lock Juandre Kruger is ready to return to Northampton, where he spent two years, to knock the English side out of the automatic qualification spot in Pool Five of the European Cup
The Anglo-French clash will decide who claims the automatic qualification spot at the top of the pool and who will have to wait and see whether they qualify for a best runners-up place.
Kruger won the Challenge Cup with the Saints in a two-year spell before going onto claim international honours on his return to South Africa.
Now he has his sights set on the Champions Cup, and he is relishing a return to his old side.
"I was a young player when I arrived in Northampton," he said.
"I really had a good time there. I experienced very good coaches and I learned a lot at the club.
"I acquired values that have also built me as a player. This helped me when I returned to South Africa, to integrate into the Springboks.
"I also kept an immense respect for the fans at Franklin's Gardens.
"The qualification is not yet fully known and we must stay focused all week on the preparation of the match awaits us on Sunday.
"We will carefully study them in order to then exploit their weaknesses.
"We can win anywhere, but we will have to be at our best. This is sure to be a huge test against a very good team, widely respected in the world of rugby.
"They have a very structured play and often take the right decisions in the field. They have an efficient pack of forwards who play on their strengths and they have a very good defence.
"Racing and Northampton are actually two very similar teams. That's why it was a tough battle and a very tight match.
"This will probably be the same Sunday as we aim both qualification and first place in the group."
@EPCRugby
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