Two-time World Cup winners Jacques Nienaber and RG Snyman are among the South Africans set to feature in the last four of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
The semi-final lineups for 3 and 4 May have been confirmed following a weekend of thrilling last-eight European cup action.
In the Champions Cup, Leinster steamrolled Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in a one-sided affair at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. Eight tries, including a brace from Max Deegan, underlined the Irish giants’ dominance as they booked a date with the Northampton Saints.
The Saints progressed after an equally impressive seven-try 51-16 dismantling of Castres on Saturday. Ex-Junior Springbok bruiser Juarno Augustus, in Northampton colours, should expect a ‘warm’ welcome from former Springbok coach Nienaber and the towering Snyman.
Nienaber has instilled a defensive hunger that matches Leinster’s attacking prowess, while Snyman’s offloading game has made the Bok ‘Viking’ a cult figure in Dublin.
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The second semi will see Bordeaux-Begles, who crushed Munster 47-29 with seven tries, host Toulouse after the defending champions squeezed past Toulon 21-18 on Sunday. Bok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg will be crucial to Bordeaux’s chances at Matmut Atlantique.
In the Challenge Cup, Edinburgh ended the Vodacom Bulls’ European campaign with a 34-28 victory at Hive Stadium. The Scottish side scored four tries, proving enough despite a spirited comeback from the Herd.
Edinburgh next entertain Bath, who demolished Gloucester 61-26 with seven tries, for a knockout tie with strong SA connections. Edinburgh’s Sean Everitt and Johann van Graan at Bath will cross swords in the coaches’ box, with props Pierre Schoeman, Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit likely to pack down opposite one another between the whitelines.
And finally, Lyon, captained by two-Test Springbok Arno Botha, and Racing 92 (who have former Stormers Hacjivah Dayimani and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko on the books) will face off in an all-French affair at Matmut Stadium. Lyon edged Ospreys 20-18 to secure their spot while Racing advanced with a stunning 43-40 comeback win over Connacht.
Champions Cup semi-finals:
Saturday, 3 May
Leinster vs Northampton Saints, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 6.30pm
Sunday 4 May
Bordeaux-Begles vs Toulouse, Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, 5pm
Challenge Cup semi-finals:
Saturday, 3 May
Edinburgh vs Bath, Hive Stadium, Edinburgh, 4pm
Sunday, 4 May
Lyon vs Racing 92, Matmut Stadium, Lyon, 2.30pm
Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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