Springboks heroes become foes as focus shifts to Europe

Springboks fans may find it difficult to see their heroes as anything other than that, but some shifting sands and a refocus at club and franchise level will see the RWC winning teammates become foes in the coming weeks and months.

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NEW TEAMS, NEW ROLES, NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, NEW FOES

The arrival of Jacques Nienaber at Leinster on Monday, being photographed with coach Leo Cullen in his new role with the Irish giants, has upped the discussion levels on social media and that, coupled with a few other shifts – including the likes of Siya Kolisi’s debut at Racing 92 – will see Springbok heroes in other roles in the coming months.

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While watching Springbok players plying their trade at overseas clubs and franchises is nothing new, the double move of Kolisi and Nienaber adds some extra spice to the forthcoming matches, as both were instrumental in the double Rugby World Cup winning streak that took South Africa to glory in Japan and France.

Nienaber’s intimate knowledge of South African players, their strengths, weaknesses and the mindset of the Springbok players will be an invaluable addition to Leinster’s coaching corps, especially as the Irish powerhouse has missed out on trophy glory over the opening two seasons of the URC after dominating the old PRO14 league.

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And while Kolisi’s Racing 92 don’t face the South African franchises in the opening rounds of the Champions’ Cup, they will pose a significant threat should they get to the playoff rounds of the competition.

Kolisi made his debut in Racing’s win over La Rochelle to put them top of the French Top 14 this weekend, with six wins in their opening eight games.

The other significant move from a Springbok RWC winner is, of course, Steven Kitshoff’s move to Ulster – a massive blow for the Stormers and a significant change for fans to get used to.

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LEINSTER TO TAP INTO NIENABER’S SPRINGBOKS INTEL

Nienaber is likely to settle in as a key figure for Leinster, who sit just behind Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors in second spot on the Vodacom URC log and are likely to see themselves as massive title contenders – both in the Investec Champions’ Cup and URC this season.

It is clear that Nienaber has already won the respect of many of his fellow coaches with his no-nonsense outlook, as Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde sang his praises in the media earlier this week.

It will be fascinating to see how the local franchises, so used to working with Nienaber over the past six years, adapt to having him as a foe now with an Irish province.

Nienaber helped plot the Springbok cause alongside Rassie Erasmus and as part of the mobi-unit for the most part of more than a decade, and as Springbok coach for the last four years.

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And now he will be a massive threat to the SA franchises hopes of toppling Leinster’s league run and their own hopes of title glory in the Vodacom URC.

Kitshoff may have something to say about that as well, as he made his debut for Ulster off the bench last week against Glasgow Warriors.

But in his case, while a prop can make a massive statement in the set pieces, he is unlikely to have such a profound effect as Nienaber, and will join a long list of Springboks or former Boks who are a threat for their clubs when they face South African opposition.

In the Champions’ Cup Kitshoff’s first opposition will be a familiar face in Bath, who have Johann van Graan coaching them and Thomas du Toit, his Springbok teammate in the front row.

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Of course, other Springbok players that may face South African franchises across the Champions Cup include Handre Pollard and Jasper Wiese at Leicester, Jean Kleyn (and RG Snyman when fit again) at Munster and Trevor Nyakane, who plays with Kolisi at Racing 92.

Leicester face the Stormers in their opening Champions Cup clash while Racing open against Andre Esterhuizen’s Harlequins on 9 December.

Other RWC winning Springbok stars in France include Marvin Orie at Perpignan and Cobus Reinach at Montpellier. Perpignan face the Lions in their opening game of the EPCR Challenge Cup while the men from Joburg are drawn to play Montpellier in the third round of the Challenge Cup.

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