South Africa’s maiden experience of the Champions and Challenge Cup will benefit both the local franchises and the Springboks in the long run, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The Sharks and DHL Stormers both suffered quarter-final exits away from home in the Champions Cup, while the Lions were beaten in Glasgow in the last eight of the Challenge Cup.
Highlights: Bulls rumble, Stormers stumble
This came after the Vodacom Bulls lost away to French giants Toulouse, who went on to beat the Sharks, in the round of 16.
However, in his TimesLive column, Keohane argues that South Africa’s franchises will be far better in the European competitions next season and the experience of playing in the premier club tournament will aid the Springboks in their World Cup title defence this year.
“Obviously, it was disappointing to see South Africa’s trio of teams eliminated from the respective European competitions, but please give a little perspective. It is not doom and gloom,” wrote Keohane.
“In this World Cup year, it is a blessing. In the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, it is a relief for those coaches who have juggled cross-hemisphere competitions that are played at the same time.
“Then there is the Currie Cup, and already we have seen an intensity in South Africa’s oldest and grandest domestic competition that the traditional big boys simply want to make it to the last four, and then you will see their URC teams playing in those play-offs. There were so many positives to take from each of the three matches, but most significantly it was a reminder that our teams, made up exclusively of South African players, are on the rise but they are not at the summit … not yet.
“They will be better in the 2023-24 season. They will be more competitive. All the coaches will be the wiser for the experience. Ditto the players.
“The experience of the past few months will also benefit the Springboks in their World Cup defence in France later this year, as will the amount of Bok World Cup prospects playing in France and the United Kingdom.”
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Photo: Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP