All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu has challenged South Africa’s Investec Champions Cup representatives to embrace the opportunity to play against Europe’s best.
The Bulls, Lions and Stormers will fly the South African flag in this season’s elite tournament, while the Sharks compete in the second-tier EPCR Challenge Cup.
A South African team has yet to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals since first qualifying for the competition via the URC in 2022-23.
Speaking at the South African launch of the Champions Cup in Sandton on Monday, Nonu suggested the SA clubs had yet to fully embrace the significance of competing in Europe’s premier club tournament.
“The South African teams need to realise what a privilege it is to be able to play in the competition,” said the two-time World Cup winner, who played Champions Cup rugby for Toulon in France.
“Just look at the stature of the European teams that compete in it every year. These are teams loaded with some of the best rugby players in the world.
“The South African teams shouldn’t just see it as a bonus to take part in the competition. They need to be competitive and show [the European clubs] where they come from.”
MORE: French back ‘elitist’ Champions Cup
Nonu, who joined the Sharks as a mentor in July before making his debut off the bench against the All Blacks in August, expects the formidable French clubs to remain the teams to beat.
“If you look at the Top 14, it’s a competition that currently has no equal in terms of competitiveness. I think it’s the best rugby competition in the world.
“A lot of players from different countries go to play their rugby in France. Many South Africans have carved out careers for themselves in France.
“Every match in the competition is played in packed stadiums and the supporters don’t mind travelling for away games.
“If I look at where New Zealand rugby is at the moment, it paints a clear picture of where a competition like Super Rugby currently finds itself. About 20 years ago, Super Rugby [with the South African teams involved] was the competition to follow.
“Things have now changed drastically and it’s the French who are teaching us all a lesson in how to present rugby.”
ALSO: Champions Cup fixtures confirmed
The Bulls will launch South Africa’s Champions Cup campaign against Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 17 October (2pm), with the Stormers hosting the Bristol Bears (4:15pm) and the Lions making their tournament debut against La Rochelle in France (6:30pm SA time).
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Nonu: SA teams must get serious appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu has challenged South Africa’s Investec Champions Cup representatives to embrace the opportunity to play against Europe’s best.
The post Nonu: SA teams must get serious appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
