VIDEO: French-based Bok reveals where SA franchises are falling short
Arnoldus Francois Botha will ensure there is some additional interest from South Africa when Bath and Lyon Olympique Universitaire go head-to-head in the Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff on Friday.
There is already a significant South African partiality towards Bath, because of former Springbok assistant coach Johann Christoffel van Graan, now head coach at The Recreation Ground.
Botha, affectionately known as Arno, has 200-odd first-class games to his credit – including playing for the Bulls (2011 to 2017, as well as 2020 to 2022), London Irish and Munster, before arriving at Stade de Gerland in Lyon.
Capped twice for his country a decade ago, Botha has a good insight into what it takes to be successful in Europe.
Lyon Olympique Universitaire won the Challenge Cup in 2022, but the last of their two Top 14 victories was in 1933.
Bath, currently the Premiership pace-setters, have won six English titles (1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96), a Champions Cup (1998) and Challenge Cup (2008).
Botha said the biggest challenge for European teams would be the travel factor and having to play on the Highveld in the South African summer.
The South African teams have the reverse – travelling to Europe in the middle of a harsh Northern Hemisphere winter.
However, the migration by SA teams from Super Rugby to Europe has been a winner.
“It is good for the game,” Botha told @rugby365com, when asked about the value of the cross-pollination of rugby cultures the South Africans have brought to the north.
He admitted there is merit to the argument that it is no longer a purely European competition, with South Africa’s entry.
“It is good for the game to get different teams and players competing against each other in the various tournaments,” Botha added.
Botha, 33, suggested SA fans may require some patience, as it may be another three years before they see their teams achieve success on the European stage.
“South African teams need to manage their squads better,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “That is what the European teams are doing very well.
“That is an aspect where they are a step ahead of the South African teams.
“The Bulls and Sharks are trying to create [more squad depth.
“You can see the players they are recruiting and get to return to South Africa.
“It is important to get the squad bigger.
“That will make the competition even more difficult for European teams.
“Sometimes the South African teams don’t have the playing resources to rest some players.”
(WATCH as French-based Springbok Arno Botha shares his well-founded view on South Africa’s transition to Europe….)
He added that the European sides will also benefit from facing the SA franchises.
“It is a different brand that South Africa play,” he said, adding: “They play a lot more with their forwards, big players.”
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