SA teams’ exit from Euro cups ‘a blessing in disguise’ — Burger

While disappointed that South Africa’s European cup challenge is over, former Springbok and Stormers great Schalk Burger believes it’s something of a blessing in disguise as the four South African United Rugby Championship teams can now focus solely on that competition.

The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers are all in the running to make the URC top eight and quarter-finals with two rounds of matches remaining.

In last weekend’s Champions Cup last-eight games, the Sharks and Stormers lost to Toulouse and Exeter respectively, while the Lions bowed out at the same stage, to Glasgow, in the Challenge Cup. The Bulls and Cheetahs were knocked out of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions in the last-16 round the week before, to Toulouse and Toulon respectively.

Burger says the attention and focus can now shift fully to the URC teams getting into the playoffs.

“It’s disappointing we are not in Europe any more, but this might be a bit of a blessing in disguise for our squads because I feared their URC campaigns would have suffered as a consequence if they had got through to the European Cup semi-finals. So maybe this is good for us,” said Burger.

“This actually benefits our squads in terms of the URC. We are a little bit thinner spread than some of the powerhouses up north and it’s the first year we have done both. Last year, we were privileged where we only had to focus on the URC.”

European cup competitions

Speaking on a URC round table, Burger continued: “The European cup competitions were a challenge for us. It was something new.

“I think the players were really excited to play in Europe against different opposition they don’t usually play against. I think they really embraced it.

“A lot has been made about the travel, but I don’t think it was an excuse in the Stormers case. They could have flown there by spaceship and I still think they would have come up short against an Exeter side who bossed the ball. We can’t blame travel for the performance.”

URC round 17

Looking ahead to round 17 of the URC this weekend, Burger believes both the Sharks and the Bulls will pick up bonus point wins at home to Benetton and Zebre Parma respectively to cement their play-off spots.

“The Bulls are going through a horrid streak under Jake White, so there is a lot of pressure in the camp. The main issue has been defence, but there is quality within that squad,” he said.

Turning to Saturday’s encounter between the Lions and Leinster in Johannesburg, he expects the table-topping visitors from Ireland to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.

“There is just too much quality in the Leinster side, they are so consistent. They are my favourite side to watch because their emphasis is always on scoring tries,” he said.

“The Lions will have some magnificent moments, but they don’t have enough quality to keep it there for 80 minutes. They will have soft moments and those moments are when Leinster will pounce, so I see the Lions going down.”

As for the Cape Town clash between his former side, the Stormers, and Munster, Burger is anticipating a tight affair.

“This is a big one. The weather looks set to be perfect for the weekend and it’s going to be a good crowd,” he said.

“Munster are going to be a force to be reckoned with. The Stormers might be in trouble this weekend.

“I think Munster are going to run us super close. I have got to back the Stormers, but they will be put under pressure and I have a feeling it’s going to be super tight.”