What the Champions Cup means to South African sides
The idea of welcoming South African clubs into the Investec Champions Cup last season was not one that was universally welcomed, but that objection dissipated as the season progressed.
Now entering their second season in the competition, the sides seem part of the furniture, albeit only two sides are in the premier competition- the Stormers and the Bulls.
The Champions Cup (in its various iterations) has long held a fabled aura in some corners of Europe, and the fears were originally that its mystique would be diluted by opening its doors far and wide. Stormers lock Ben-Jason Dixon proves otherwise.
The South African speaks just as effusively about the Champions Cup as players and fans would from Munster or Leicester, describing it as a “big privilege” to be playing in arguably the leading club competition in the world.
“You just need one trip to France to realise [how special the Champions Cup is],” the lock said at the launch of this season’s Champions Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.
“It’s things that we’d never get the opportunity to do if we weren’t part of this competition. Massive teams- as a kid growing up, you never even thought of the possibility of playing a Saracens or Toulouse. Now it’s like a dream come true, so it’s very special.”
The South African outfits served up some of the best matches of the tournament last season, with Dixon noting the Stormers’ round of 16 clash with Harlequins as one of his standout memories.
“One of the highlights was out match we played against Harlequins in the round of 16 at home in a packed DHL Stadium,” he said.
“We then flew over the Exeter for the quarter-final and got kicked out of the competition over there.”
Entering the tournament as the reigning United Rugby Champions last season, the Cape Town-based side were South Africa’s main hope of any success. They turned up at Sandy Park to take on the Exeter Chiefs as slight favourites, but had more or less lost the game after half an hour of play, eventually losing 42-17. They were South Africa’s last remaining team in the competition after the Sharks had exited earlier that day as well, but the loss made the challenges that come with playing the Champions Cup became all too apparent, particularly playing away from home.
Dixon discussed the challenges that the South African teams face in the competition, but has the belief that the Stormers and the Bulls can compete this season.
He said: “I think it’s a different challenge, the Champions Cup. Even in the URC we’ve been struggling to win away from home, but we’re adaptable. So I hope we can keep on learning because there’s a lot of improvement that we need to make. But I think we can compete in the competition.”
The Stormers get their campaign underway with a trip to Welford Road on Sunday to take on two-time champions Leicester Tigers, before hosting reigning champions La Rochelle the week after.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to comments