Jacques Nienaber and Sean Everitt will go head-to-head when Leinster host Edinburgh in a high-stakes Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash on Sunday.
Nienaber, the 2023 Springbok World Cup-winning coach, has made a significant impact since joining Leinster, particularly with their aggressive defensive system.
Everitt, meanwhile, is looking to salvage Edinburgh’s season after their Vodacom URC playoff hopes were effectively ended by defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town last week.
Despite that setback, Everitt insists his team will not back down in Dublin.
“We’ve got to understand that the chances of qualifying are probably gone,” he said of the URC. “But we are fighters and we’re going to play the best we can every weekend.
“We’ve got a Champions Cup game against Leinster away, and that will be our focus. We’re definitely not going to throw away this season.”
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The challenge, however, is immense. Leinster are expected to welcome back a host of international stars, prompting Everitt to quip: “We know that next week we’re probably playing Ireland because they will have all their players back.”
However, he said Edinburgh had quality players of their own they can count on, including South Africans.
“You saw that [against the Stormers]. I thought Ewan Ashman was outstanding at hooker, and [Scotland loosehead prop] Pierre Schoeman did really well, as did [Springbok loosehead prop] Boan Venter.”
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Leinster sit comfortably in fourth place on the URC log and will be aiming to go deep in both competitions under senior coach Nienaber, whose defensive blueprint is built on relentless line speed and physical pressure.
“They come aggressively now under Jacques,” he said. “The Stormers game was good training for us because they do the same.”
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Everitt believes matching that intensity, while maintaining composure, will be key.
“For us it’s about not only containing them but making the best of opportunities against that line speed,” he explained.
Injuries have forced Edinburgh to dig deep this season, with Everitt revealing they have already used 48 players across competitions. Yet he remains committed to selecting his strongest available side.
“We’ll always pick the best team we can,” he said. “We’re getting some guys back [this week], and that will help.”
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Photos: David Rogers/Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
The post Nienaber, Everitt set for Dublin duel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jacques Nienaber and Sean Everitt will go head-to-head when Leinster host Edinburgh in a high-stakes Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash on Sunday.
The post Nienaber, Everitt set for Dublin duel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
