Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has sung the praises for South Africa’s inclusion in the Champions Cup, as the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers look set to join the Sharks in the playoffs.
South Africa’s inclusion in the Champions Cup has been met with a mixed reception, especially from European-based pundits and players, past and present.
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However, going into the final weekend of pool fixtures, the Vodacom Bulls and Stormers need just a point each from their respective fixtures against Lyon (a) and Clermont (h) to progress to the round of 16.
The Sharks have already secured their place in the playoffs by continuing their unbeaten run in the tournament with a bonus-point victory over Bordeaux in Durban last weekend.
In an interview with the Mirror, former Ireland centre O’Driscoll said that the South African teams have added an unquestionable quality to the Champions Cup.
“It would mean that their inclusion [has been] pretty good, right? I think there’s a number of factors—some people are like, ‘This isn’t Europe,'” O’Driscoll told Mirror Sport. “Maybe they need to call it an alternative competition to allow for Europe and South Africa.
“I don’t have an alternative name for it,” continued O’Driscoll. “Because it’s like the Eurovision with Australia in it, y’know? It’s not what we’re used to. I suppose change is always less palatable for some people, but what they have done is brought competitiveness.
“You could easily have three South African teams qualify in year one,” added O’Driscoll. “Which I think would speak volumes for their quality.”
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