The South African teams may have had a disappointing Champions Cup campaign, but there will be a strong ‘Saffa’ influence in Bilbao in Saturday’s final between Bordeaux and Leinster, notably on the side of the French team. Three South Africans are likely to feature in Bordeaux’s matchday 23, including former Sharks and Springbok flank Jean-Luc du Preez, massive tighthead prop Carlu Sadie, and former Lion Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Another South African in the greater Bordeaux squad is the young hooker Christian Everitt, who is the son of Edinburgh and former Sharks coach Sean Everitt. The team’s coaching staff also has a strong South African presence, with line-out coach Sean Sowerby, who played No 8 for the Sharks in the early 2000s, and skills coach Heinie Adams, who played scrumhalf for the Bulls between 2005 and 2010.
South African Influence in Bordeaux’s Coaching Staff
Two other Bordeaux coaches have had stints in South Africa at the Sharks — head coach Yannick Bru and attack coach Noel McNamara. The latter will be particularly interested in the influence of the sole South African on the Leinster side of the fence, former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber. Nienaber has not had it easy with the Irish supporters since he joined the Dublin team after winning the 2023 World Cup.
Ulster’s Shock Axing of Werner Kok
In the EPCR Challenge Cup final on Friday night, between Ulster and Montpellier, the shock axing of a South African has been a big talking point in Belfast. Former Blitzboks hero, Werner Kok, is a huge crowd favourite at Ulster’s Ravenhill Stadium, and a prolific try-scorer, yet he has been dropped from the matchday 23 for the final. However, the SA flag will still be flown — Juarno Augustus, a former Junior Springbok and Stormer, is starting at No 8 for Ulster.
As the Champions Cup final approaches, South African rugby fans will be watching with interest as their compatriots take to the field. Will Bordeaux’s strong South African influence be enough to secure them the title? Only time will tell. For more information on the Champions Cup, visit the European Rugby Champions Cup Wikipedia page.
- Jean-Luc du Preez – former Sharks and Springbok flank
- Carlu Sadie – massive tighthead prop
- Rohan Janse van Rensburg – former Lion
