Munster have started their Pro 12 title defence on a disappointing note. They currently lie third on the tournament table, with only eight wins from their 13 fixtures to date as they trail current leaders and Irish rivals Leinster – who they beat in last season’s final – by 10 log points.

However, Munster will be delighted with their European Cup campaign as they finished the group stages as the only undefeated club in the competition. South African props Wian du Preez and BJ Botha have been a major influence up front as they’ve started in all six wins – the latest a 51-36 drubbing of Brian Mujati’s Northampton Saints at Milton Keynes on Saturday.

Munster props BJ Botha and Wian du Preez

Du Preez, who signed for Munster from the Cheetahs in 2010 after an impressive 2009 loan spell, and Botha, who joined the club from Ulster following a poor run of injuries last season, were powerful around the park as they contributed largely at the breakdowns and on defence. Normally strong in the scrums, they didn’t have a great start at the set-piece as they were dominated in the first half, but they were able to rectify their front row woes after the break and were more solid thereafter.

Botha was an effective ball carrier and he forced his way over the whitewash from close range in the 30th minute. It was an important try as it staged a first-half comeback as Northampton led 13-3 in the first quarter.

Munster will now host Ulster at Thomond Park in their quarter-final tie on 7 April.

In other weekend results, Saffa-laden Saracens will face Clermont at home in the next round as they beat flanker Bian Vermaak, scrumhalf Tobie Botes and lock Corniel van Zyl’s Treviso 26-20 to top Pool 5. SA-born prop Matt Stevens, hooker John Smit, lock Mouritz Botha and inside centre Brad Barritt started for the English defending champions before flanker Justin Melck featured off the bench. Botha was the standout forward as he made 10 tackles, won three line-out feeds and scored an important try in the first half while Barritt was outstanding on defence with 12 tackles (the most in the match) and gained 56m from six ball carries.

Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar continued his fine form with the boot as he slotted five penalties for lock Johann Muller, fullback Stefan Terblanche and No 8 Pedrie Wannenburg’s Ulster, but they still lost 19-15 to flanker Gerhard Vosloo and reserve prop Daniel Kotze’s Clermont at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

SA-bound Frans Steyn started at outside centre for Racing Metro, who also had lock Francois van der Merwe and No 8 Jacques Cronje in their match squad. Steyn kicked two penalties, including a 50m shot, but it couldn’t help his side as they went down 36-30 against Cardiff Blues.

Hooker Richardt Strauss and reserve prop Heinke van der Merwe featured in Leinster’s 25-3 win over Montpellier while scrumhalf Rory Kockott’s two penalties couldn’t help Castres as they were edged 16-13 at home by Scarlets.

EUROPEAN CUP QUARTER-FINALS
Munster vs Ulster
Leinster vs Cardiff Blues
Edinburgh vs Toulouse
Saracens vs Clermont Auvergne

After trailing 17-13 against the Italians at half-time, the English Premiership defending champions secured the win with a try via wing David Strettle and the boot of centre Owen Farrell who slotted a conversion and two penalties in the second half. SA-born lock Mouritz Botha scored a try before the break.

The triumph sees Saracens top Pool 5 with five wins from their six group games, and they’ll now host Clermont in the next round. Saracens, who are the only English side left in the European Cup, will host a semi-final should they beat the French club.

In other European Cup results on Sunday, American wing Taku Ngwenya scored a hat-trick in Biarritz’s 36-5 drubbing of Ospreys. Racing Metro suffered their fifth loss of the campaign as they went down 36-30 to Cardiff Blues while Edinburgh sealed top spot in Pool 2 with a 34-11 win over London Irish.

European Cup quarter-finals (played 6 / 7 / 8 April): Munster v Ulster, Leinster v Cardiff, Edinburgh v Toulouse, Saracens v Clermont

The Gloucester forwards were relentless and their backs potent as they whipped the star-studded French side into submission after trailing by 10 points early in the match.

Full-back Jonny May led the way with a double, while England wing Charlie Sharples and Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera also crossed and fly-half Freddie Burns booted 14 points.

Toulouse’s South African prop Gurthro Steenkamp scrummed solidly but was largely a peripheral figure. Shaun Sowerby and Daan Human played off the wood but could do little to swing the momentum of the match in their favour.

Four-time European champions Toulouse, though, still progress to the quarter-finals as Pool Six winners after Harlequins lost 9-8 against Connacht in Galway.

When he was still based in South Africa, there was a forced expectation on Ruan Pienaar to excel at flyhalf, especially after his outstanding performance in the Springboks’ 42-6 win over England at Twickenham in 2008. This was despite the player’s known desire to play in his preferred position of scrumhalf. When the No 10 experiment had inconsistent results at national level thereafter (in match and kicking performance), Pienaar continued to feature elsewhere in the Bok backline except scrumhalf, as Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie and Francois Hougaard were ahead in the pecking order. Pienaar eventually lost his run-on spot and featured mainly off the Bok bench. Pienaar was also utilised at flyhalf for the Sharks in Super Rugby in 2009 and rotated between scrumhalf and pivot in 2010.

This mismanagement saw him make the move to Ulster in October 2010, where he has since thrived as a result of regular scrumhalf selection. His form for Ulster earned him a spot in the Bok World Cup squad last year, despite coach Peter de Villiers’ reluctance to pick overseas-based players.

Ulster scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar

Pienaar has continued his fine club form this season. While he has starred in general play, he’s been more consistent off the kicking tee since he left Durban with his latest display seeing him kick 21 points in Ulster’s 41-7 thumping English giants Leicester Tigers at Ravenhill. He slotted five penalties and converted all of his team’s three tries, while he also played a key role on attack behind a rampant pack. Skipper and lock Johann Muller (who made six tackles and won four lineout feeds), No 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (who made 10 tackles, won two lineout feeds and created two tries) and fullback Stefan Terblanche (who rushed 44m with ball in hand, completed four linebreaks and one turnover) also played their part in the victory.

Ulster now lead Pool 4, three points ahead of Clermont. The two clubs will face off on 21 January at the Stade Marcel Michelin with the winner securing the automatic quarter-final spot.

In other results, Saffa-laden Saracens delivered a strong team performance in their 20-16 win over Biarritz. Hooker John Smit, lock Mouritz Botha, No 8 Ernst Joubert and centre Brad Barritt all started in victory, with Barritt winning a vital 77th-minute penalty which midfield partner Owen Farrell converted. Botha, who gained 29m (the most by a forward in the match) and made seven tackles, and Joubert, who amassed 24m and completed five tackles, were top performers.

Front rowers Wian du Preez and BJ Botha were influential in Munster’s 26-10 win over prop Michael Coetzee and scrumhalf Rory Kockott’s Castres, with Du Preez crossing the chalk in the second half. Tighthead prop Brian Mujati also started his first match since his foot injury as Northampton Saints fought back from a 14-6 half-time deficit to beat Scarlets 29-17.

Inside centre Frans Steyn scored a try in his first start for Racing Metro since the World Cup, but it didn’t help as the French club lost 27-24 at home to Edinburgh. Tighthead prop Daniel Kotze delivered a strong performance in Clermont’s 82-0 thrashing of flyhalf Naas Olivier and lock Quintin Geldenhuys’ Aironi. Loosehead prop Gurthro Steenkamp started in Toulouse’s 24-3 over Connacht, while prop Daan Human and No 8 Shaun Sowerby came off the bench.

While fullback Alex Goode was named Man of the Match, it was outside centre Owen Farrell who starred with boot for Saracens as he kicked five penalties to clinch the four-point win.

The English Premiership defending champions, who spent their week training in Cape Town, led 14-6 at the break before scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili (who scored all Biarritz’s match points) spearheaded his team’s second-half fight. The French international’s third penalty created a one-point game at the death, but Farrell nailed a 77th minute three-pointer which helped his team to their fourth win of the tournament.

Saracens now top Pool 5 by five log points and will travel to Treviso for their final group game.

In Sunday’s other fixture, Leinster recorded a 23-16 away win over Glasgow in Pool 3 to secure their spot in the next round.

Bath led 10-7 at the break and were favourites to win as the clock wound down, but Montpellier rallied for one final attack and scored under the posts through Timoci Nagusa. The result will ensure that Bath exit the European Cup on a particularly disappointing note.

In other European Cup fixtures played on Saturday, Clermont massacred Aironi 82-0 while another French club in Toulouse enjoyed dominance over their opponents Connacht in the 24-3 victory at the Stade Ernest Wallon. Castres could not complete the French treble however, as they went down 26-10 to Munster.

In Wales, Northampton overpowered Scarlets and won 29-17, while in England London Irish went down 22-15 to Cardiff. Harlequins beat Gloucester 20-14 to keep their play-off hopes alive.

The Bok scrumhalf joined Ulster on a two-year deal at the beginning of the 2010-11 season from the Sharks. At the end of that season he won Ulster’s Player of the Year award and the Celtic League Player of the Year award, voted for by his peers. He was also named in the Celtic League Team of the Year. He has played a total of 29 matches for the club, scoring 166 points (including six tries).

‘I’ve really enjoyed my first two seasons here and when the opportunity came to extend the deal I was very excited,’ said Pienaar. ‘I’ve made some good friends here and I’ve really enjoyed the rugby side. The people of Belfast have welcomed myself and my family with open arms and so it was an easy decision in the end.’

‘We have been negotiating to retain Ruan since the summer and are delighted that he has chosen to extend his contract with us,’ said Ulster director of rugby David Humphreys. ‘He has been instrumental in the team’s success since joining us in 2010. He’s a true match winner and a total professional from his attitude in the gym, through the mentoring role he plays with younger players to the quality of performance he delivers consistently each week.’

Ulster, who are the latest European club to invest in a strong South African contingent, suffered a poor start to the Pro12. They currently sit eighth on their domestic log after losing five of their opening 10 matches. But they have shown better form recently, especially in the European Cup where they hold the lead in Pool 4 above Leicester Tigers and Clermont.

Lock and skipper Johann Muller, scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, No 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, flanker Robbie Diack and newly signed centre Stefan Terblanche each played a part in the Northern Irish side’s 46-20 away win over lock Quintin Geldenhuys and flyhalf Naas Olivier’s Aironi on Saturday.

Ulster's Johann Muller

Muller (who stole two of the opposition’s lineout throws and made seven tackles), Pienaar (who impressed in his favoured position) and Wannenburg (who completed three turnovers and made seven tackles) all featured in the first 40 before Diack and Terblanche made an impact off the bench. Diack scored one of Ulster’s six tries while Pienaar kicked two conversions in the 26-point drubbing.

In other results, Saffa-laden Saracens held on to beat Ospreys 16-13 in Swansea. The English Premiership champions, who had centre Brad Barritt, tighthead prop Matt Stevens, hooker Schalk Brits, lock Mouritz Botha, No 8 Ernst Joubert, and replacement hooker John Smit and prop Deon Carstens in their match 22, led 16-3 at the break. Joubert dotted down to contribute to the 13-point advantage before an ill-disciplined second-half showing, which saw Brits and flanker Kelly Brown yellow-carded, allowed the hosts to fight back. Sarries, however, did enough for the tight win to stay on top of Pool 5.

Hooker Richardt Strauss and tighthead prop Heinke van der Merwe inspired Leinster to a 52-27 thrashing of scrumhalf Michael Claassens and flanker Francois Louw’s Bath at Lansdowne Road. Both front rowers were powerful in the tight during a strong opening 40 performance, which set the platform for Louw’s second successive defeat as skipper.

Loosehead prop Wian du Preez and tighthead prop BJ Botha were also influential in unbeaten Munster’s 19-13 win over Scarlets in Limerick. Lock Francois van der Merwe and reserve flanker Bernard le Roux helped Racing Metro to their first European Cup win of the season as they downed tighthead prop Faan Rautenbach’s London Irish 25-19, while former WP centre Paul Bosch started in Montpellier’s 13-13 stalemate with Glasgow – the French club’s second draw of a poor campaign.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride over the last two years for former Stormers flanker Francois Louw. In South Africa, he had two impressive Super Rugby seasons with the Stormers and went on to make his Springbok debut in 2010. However, despite some Man-of-the-Match displays in the initial Tests, he was dropped by Bok coach Peter de Villiers after the 2010 Tri-Nations. This led to his departure to Bath following this year’s Super Rugby competition. It all ended well for the player known as Flo, as he was the surprise pick in the Springboks World Cup squad.

For his new English club, Louw made his debut in Bath’s 46-13 LV Cup win over Worcester Warriors, in which he scored a try and was named Man of the Match. Respectable performances thereafter saw Louw named captain of Bath’s European Cup home match against hooker Richardt Strauss and loosehead prop Heinke van der Merwe’s Leinster on Sunday, in retired England skipper Lewis Moody’s injury absence.

Bath skipper Francois Louw sent off

It was a great 70 minutes for Louw, whose highlight was making a crucial steal at the breakdown which created the play that led to Matt Banahan’s second half try. Bath, who also had scrumhalf Michael Claassens in their run-on side, were holding on to a 13-12 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the match, but two late three-pointers by Irish flyhalf Jonny Sexton sealed the win for the visitors. Louw conceded the last of those penalties and was sent to the sin bin in a disappointing finish to his first high profile game as captain.

Bath now travel to Dublin next weekend and will aim to pick up an important away win to keep their play-off qualification hopes alive.

In other results, No 8 Ernst Joubert scored a try in Saracens’ 31-26 win over Ospreys, which takes them to the top of Pool 5. Hooker Schalk Brits, who made his return from a three-match ban, tighthead prop Matt Stevens and lock Mouritz Botha also featured in the starting line-up.

Front rowers Wian du Preez and BJ Botha fronted Munster’s 17-14 away triumph over Scarlets to take the Irish club’s unbeaten European Cup run to three matches. Former Sharks captain Stefan Terblance made his debut for Ulster off the bench in their 31-10 home win over Aironi. Lock Johann Muller, No 8 Pedrie Wannenburg and replacement flanker Robbie Diack also turned out for the victors.

SA-born Italian lock Corniel van Zyl dotted down for a crucial try in Treviso’s famous 30-26 victory over Biarritz. Former Sharks and Lions scrumhalf Rory Kockott helped Castres to a 41-22 win over Northampton Saints, who were without tighthead prop Brian Mujati, while hooker Gary Botha started in Toulouse’s 21-10 victory over English Premiership log leaders Harlequins.

Saracens announced the cancellation of their plans of taking the first European Cup fixture to the southern hemisphere on Thursday. This comes after negotiations between the Watford-based club, City of Cape Town and WP Rugby fell through this week.

The orginal plan was to play the match at Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint, but as the host union, WP forced their hand and demanded that the match be played at Newlands. Saracens attempted to reason with the two parties but a failure to reach an agreement has seen the English Premiership champions cancel the initiative as they’ll now play the match in London.

‘The innovative Saracens were eager to host the first European Cup match ever played outside Europe, to stage a special, spectacular rugby event and to project brilliant images of Cape Town and European rugby around the world,’ said the club’s statement.

‘However, we have no wish to be a catalyst for conflict between the City of Cape Town and the Western Province Rugby Union. Saracens looks forward to playing a competitive match in Cape Town as soon as local circumstances allow.

‘Supporters who have bought tickets in South Africa will be fully refunded by Computicket, and Saracens will engage with UK-based supporters who have already booked air tickets and accommodation, and ensure they are appropriately compensated.’

The English Premiership, French Top 14 and Pro12 were all on break as the top northern hemisphere clubs competed in the European Cup.

Retired Springbok captain John Smit came off the bench in the 58th minute to make his debut for new club Saracens in a 42-17 mauling of Italian outfit Treviso. The reserve hooker featured alongside fellow Saffas centre Brad Barritt, scrumhalf Neil de Kock, SA-born English prop Matt Stevens, starting hooker Schalk Brits, No 8 Ernst Joubert, Stromers-bound prop Deon Carstens and flanker Justin Melck in the match 22.

Smit and Joubert scored tries in the final quarter to seal the convincing win for the English champions. Former Cheetahs and Stormers flyhalf Willem de Waal added two conversions and a penalty for Treviso.

Lock Johann Muller and No 8 Pedrie Wannenburg were key in Ulster’s 16-11 win over flanker Gerhard Vosloo’s Clermont. Especially Muller, who made the most tackles in the match (12) and won eight throws in the lineouts.

Front rowers Wian du Preez and BJ Botha packed down in Munster’s 23-21 win over prop Brian Mujati’s Northampton Saints. It was a major win for the former, who edged ahead three minutes into injury time as flyhalf Ronan O’Gara slotted a late drop goal.

Prop Heinke van der Merwe and hooker Richardt Strauss featured in Leinster’s comeback as they drew 16-16 with Montepellier after trailing 13-3 at the break. A last-minute penalty from pivot Jonny Sexton forced the stalemate.

Bok flanker Francois Louw delivered an impressive individual display in Bath’s 26-21 defeat to Glasgow. The 26-year-old Louw gained 44m in his five ball carries, made the most turnovers in the match (3) and made 11 tackles, not missing one.

According to The Guardian, there are secret plans being made among Europe’s richest clubs to establish a breakaway tournament, which would include South African franchises. The UK newspaper also confirmed that there are separate proposals to create a world club championship, which would include the champions of the English Premiership, Pro12 and French Top 14 and European Cup, as well as the winners of Super Rugby and the respective Australian, New Zealand and South African logs.

It is believed that only money is the issue stopping these plans. The European Cup is run by the European Rugby Cup Ltd, which acts on behalf of the unions involved. The tournament’s turnover has doubled in five years to just over €50m (about R545m) but there are many who believe the competition is capable of generating far more.

Frustrated clubs are aware the existing five-year ERC accord ends in June, although any stakeholder wishing to exit the tournament is still required to give two years’ notice. All the tournament’s major TV contracts expire in 2014 and Heineken’s title sponsorship deal runs until 2013. The strict salary cap in England remains a further bone of contention for millionaire club owners who, despite the economic turmoil across Europe, are seeking to expand.

‘From an English and French clubs’ point of view the European Cup is a growing competition but it is essentially controlled by the unions and played by the clubs,’ said an anonymous prominent club figure. ‘There are some English and French clubs who do not regard that as an ideal situation. There is also a growing weariness in South Africa with Sanzar [South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby]. They feel they’re at a playing disadvantage by constantly having to travel and, despite having more commercial pulling power, do not get a proportionally bigger share of the revenue. They feel South Africa is subsidising Australia and New Zealand, which are relatively small markets.’

In a recent interview with SA Rugby magazine, Saracens CEO Edward Griffiths echoed the same sentiments. Saracens will take their European Cup tie against Biarritz to Cape Town in January.

‘I’’m not sure if that will be possible and whether the IRB will allow it [a global club competition], but I do believe new competition structures need to be implemented. The English clubs are suffering major losses. There was a total loss of R300 million from all clubs after last season, so there needs to be some changes made,’ said Griffiths.

‘It would be a positive step for South African franchises to join forces with European clubs. The time zone is similar and it’s easier to travel to London and Paris than it is to Sydney or Auckland. This would make it easier for all clubs and franchises to earn a profit while it will also create a fresh and appealing spectacle for fan.’

The Ireland and Leinster captain has struggled with neck and shoulder injuries for the past year and will go under the knife in order for a successful recovery. He is only expected to return to action in May.

This means O’Driscoll will miss Leinster’s domestic season and their European Cup title defence, and Ireland’s Six Nations campaign that kicks off in February. The 32-year-old has denied that this will lead to an early retirement, but he has hinted that he plans to stop playing after the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.

According to French daily newspaper L’Equipe, the 29-year-old wants to move back to his homeland to compete for a place in the French national squad. With new France coach Philippe Saint-Andre succeeding Marc Lievremont, there is an opportunity for Michalak to add to his 54 Test caps. He last played for France during the 2010 Six Nations.

‘I know they [the Sharks] would like to extend my contract but I want to come back to Europe next summer because I want to play with Les Bleus again and that is easier when you play in Europe,’ said Michalak.

Michalak joined the Sharks from Toulouse during the latter stages of Super Rugby rugby. He played through the entire Currie Cup campaign and finished as the tournaments’ top scorer with 192 points.

Meanwhile, centre Stefan Terblanche has signed a short-term deal with Ulster after a 12-year association with the Sharks. It will be the 36-year-old’s second European spell as he spent a four-year stint at Welsh club Ospreys from 2003-2007. The Sharks have added to their midfield depth with the signing of WP centre Tim Whitehead.

The Watford-based club confirmed the news on Wednesday after getting clearance from the ERC, organisers of the European Cup, and the IRB. Saracens announced their ambitions to take this fixture to South Africa last July .

This initiative follows the Sharks/Crusaders Super Rugby clash that was played at Twickenham earlier this year. With a large contingent of Saffas in the Saracens squad, like centre Brad Barritt, No 8 Ernst Joubert, scrumhalf Neil de Kock and hooker Schalk Brits, it was no surprise that Cape Town was targeted as the designated city. Springbok skipper John Smit will also join the club as he retires from international rugby after the World Cup.

‘The world is becoming increasingly smaller and well connected, and, as a club, we are committed to thinking big and creating major events that people want to watch. We look forward to proceeding with these exciting plans, expanding the footprint and commercial value of European rugby,’ said Saracens chairman Nigel Wray.

However, there has been a negative reaction from local fans.

‘A really bad decision that is a slap in the face for loyal Saracens fans. When you are receiving sympathy from fans of other rugby clubs you know you’re really being screwed over’ and ‘So the biggest Home game of the Season is being played 6,000 miles from VR, great decision Sarries’ were the responses on the club’s website.

After the success of the first Super Rugby game abroad between the Crusaders and Sharks in London this year, Saracens are now planning to hold the first European Cup fixture in the southern hemisphere, with Cape Town the designated city.

The venue choice is no surprise as Saracens have a host of Saffas in their squad, like centre Brad Barritt, No 8 Ernst Joubert and hooker Schalk Brits. They have also recently signed Springbok skipper John Smit for next season.

Saracens CEO Edward Griffiths has confirmed that the Watford-based club has contacted the European Cup organisers, the RFU and Saru about the matter. Although nothing is confirmed yet and negotiations are ongoing, it is said that all three boards are not against the initiative. French club Biarittz are also believed to be keen as a final decision to be made next month.

Griffiths added that although they need permission, their first obligation is to ensure their supporters will be happy and they hope to meet the requirements of tournament broadcasters, Sky Sports.

If the proposal is successful, the match will be played at Newlands or Cape Town Stadium (likely the latter) and be scheduled at 7pm CAT time (6pm UK time) to accommodate European viewers.

Saracens are optimistic that the plans should be give the green light considering Wasps were granted permission to play their LV Cup match against Harlequins in Abu Dhabi last season. A projected 30 000 crowd attendance in Cape Town will also be convincing as Saracens’ European Cup match against Clermont at Vicarage Road last season only attracted 6000 fans.

As kick-off approached, Schalk Brits made up his mind. He was going to enjoy the game no matter what. The stakes couldn’t have been higher for Saracens in their second consecutive Premiership final, and they would be looking to their South African talisman to provide the necessary spark.

‘How could I have been anything but confident in my own ability?’ he asks, as if it’s the most obvious notion in the world. ‘Opportunities to play in a championship game don’t come around too often, and you have to enjoy yourself; you have to jol all you can. I never want it to be a case of looking at myself in the mirror afterwards and saying I could have given more. You have to leave it all out on the field. No ifs. No buts.’

By the final whistle, Brits had set Twickenham on fire and Saracens had captured the cup. The praise that followed his Man of the Match performance confirmed his contribution as wholehearted and inspired. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall described him as ‘Superman’, but Leicester scrumhalf Ben Youngs was closer to the mark. Youngs said that the Saracens hooker was the difference between the two sides, calling Brits ‘phenomenal’ and ‘a man possessed’.

The word ‘possessed’ certainly does Brits justice. It’s a unique energy that runs through his body; an indomitable attitude and spirit that sets him apart. For the past two seasons, Brits has gone above and beyond the call of front-row duty. He can often be found among the Saracens’ backs, that unnatural turn of speed and other-worldly sidestep leaving lesser mortals grasping at a phantom. And as was the case during injury time of that Premiership final, he can be counted on to make tackle after tackle in a pressure situation.

Brits has left his mark on England. Apart from a Premiership winner’s medal, he was named one of the tournament’s three best players of the 2010-11 season, while his electrifying try against Gloucester in April was voted the finest of the campaign. Writing in his column for The Guardian, Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards included Brits in his Premiership team of the tournament. It was a big compliment and an even bigger statement from somebody involved with a Wales team that will face the Springboks at the World Cup.

It’s strange that people are still asking what’s next for the versatile player. The answer seems obvious. For Brendan Venter, who remains involved with Saracens even though he quit his director of rugby post last December, Brits deserves a Springbok recall.

‘People have called Schalk Brits the best hooker in England. I don’t agree with that. He is the best player in England, period. In fact, he is up there with the best in Europe,’ Venter says. ‘I’d be amazed if you told me you can’t find a place for him in a World Cup squad of 30. Few forwards have his skill set and versatility. Besides what he offers you at hooker, he can come on as a blindside flank, or even a centre in emergencies, and break open the game with a moment of magic. Also, people tend to focus on his attacking qualities, but they often forget that he is a defensive giant who can shift the momentum of the match with a big hit. Why would you not want a player with that capacity at your disposal?’

Peter de Villiers has his reasons. Less than a week after Saracens beat Leicester to win the Premiership, De Villiers declared Brits no better than any of the other South African hookers competing in Super Rugby. As usual, the Bok coach struggled in an attempt to qualify what most would recognise as an outrageous statement.

‘He is a brilliant player,’ offered De Villiers, ‘but with the state of the game here, in whose place would you select him when you have John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Adriaan Strauss and Bandise Maku?

‘If Schalk had played for us last year, and then played in this country this year, then we would have known. He made the choice of going overseas. He is so unlucky. I believe he can make a difference, but he is playing in a position where we have more than enough depth.’

While De Villiers is right to boast about South Africa’s hooking depth, he’s wrong about the pecking order. Smit will captain the team at the World Cup, and Du Plessis has made a strong claim for that starting hooker position. The Boks will take a third hooker to New Zealand and if that selection is based on performance rather than political reasons or geographical location, Brits is the obvious choice. As Venter suggests, his versatility can be an asset, and by excelling in the most testing of set-piece conditions he’s already shown himself to be a fine scrum and lineout exponent.

‘We’ve been one of the strongest scrums in the Premiership and Schalk fed 11 from 11 lineouts in a major final,’ says Venter. ‘I think the perception that Schalk is weak at the set piece is flawed. I can’t remember him letting the Boks down in this regard. People will always find ways of justifying their perception, even in light of evidence to the contrary.’

Brits admits that many of his technical improvements have been made since he joined Saracens in 2009. Playing alongside Italy prop Carlos Nieto and having a scrum coach like former Bok tighthead Cobus Visagie did wonders for his set-piece game.

‘I’m 100kg, so any success I enjoy at scrum time is going to be down to technique rather than brute power,’ he says. ‘You won’t survive in the northern hemisphere if you can’t scrum. The referees encourage it,  and there are often long, drawn out battles where the dominant team is allowed to push the opposition as much as 20m. It’s not like Super Rugby where refs try to speed the game along; there is a real emphasis on the scrum in the northern leagues.’

As his recent performances will show, he’s managed to better his scrumming without sacrificing the flair that made him such a standout for the Stormers. Brits argues that up north, you need to employ different styles for different seasons. In the winter months, a slow grinding, territorial game is required because to play expansively would be counter-productive. When the weather is better in the period before and after winter, there are more opportunities to run the ball.

‘I think I’ve developed to the point where I’m comfortable in either style,’ he says. ‘I’m happy to play it close and pick and drive in winter, but when the weather is favourable, I will have a full go. It also comes down to what the team needs in terms of our game plan and approach.

‘What has been great at Saracens is that every player is asked to play to their strengths. There are times when I’m out of position, but in those situations it’s for a particular reason. I’m heavily involved in the forward battles at the collisions and set piece, but I also tend to stay deep for the counter-attack, because that’s where my other strengths can come into play. Credit must go to Saracens for giving me that kind of freedom. You’re encouraged to play within the team structures, but there is still room to express yourself.’

It comes back to Venter’s inference that the Springbok selectors are just plain ignorant. Why wouldn’t you want this kind of talent at your disposal? Are the Springboks really so well stocked that Brits doesn’t deserve a place in the World Cup squad?

How many other players are there in South African, and even world rugby, who are, to requote Youngs, ‘possessed’?

‘Nobody is ever going to be satisfied with just three Tests,’ Brits says, referring to his short stint with the Boks in 2008. ‘I’ve played a lot for the Barbarians; it’s the kind of game that’s tailor-made for me, but it just can’t compare to proper Test rugby. I want to play in the big games where the Boks take on the All Blacks or England. Those are the types of games you live for.

‘But I can’t tell Peter de Villiers to pick me, that’s his decision. All I can do is ensure that I always give of my best. I won’t ever stop enjoying myself. I won’t ever stop trying.’

– This article first appeared in the July issue of SA Rugby magazine. The August issue will be on sale from Wednesday, 27 July.

Ruan Pienaar is a stoic oke. In his own words he’s ‘probably one of the more relaxed No 9s around the world of rugby’. On the evidence of his first season in Europe he’s a calming influence in front of 80 000 baying Poms at Twickenham and also the first man to raise a smile on a grim evening when the Celtic League is at its down and dirtiest. Which is probably why the 27-year-old former Shark emerged as the Man of the Match when Ulster went toe-to-toe with the Glasgow Warriors in March. Pienaar was responsible for all of his team’s points in their 22-19 victory that night. He scored a try and the decisive penalty, his fifth, sailed through the posts with only seconds left on the clock.

Pienaar has been a pivotal figure for his new club, slotting not only match-winning goals in the Celtic League but also forming an effective halfback partnership with Ian Humphreys which saw Ulster reach their first European Cup quarter-final for 12 years.

The backcloth to the stylish Springbok’s star turn in the west of Scotland was the less than salubrious Firhill. On Friday nights the ‘stadium’ is home to Scotland’s second professional rugby team. Twenty-four hours later the posts have given way to nets and goals when Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Division One club Partick Thistle move in. They’re not Scotland’s finest. As their most famous fan Billy Connolly once said, ‘I was brought up in Partick. The football team is Partick Thistle FC. I say that because most Englishmen think they’re called Partick Thistle Nil.’

If Pienaar’s psyche needed hardening up then you can be sure that a season touring the Celtic circuit will have done it. From the Galway greyhound track (home of Connacht) to ramshackle Rodney Parade (Newport Gwent Dragons), every expense has been spared.

Firhill tops the lot, though. The ground is open at one end and has tenement flats at the other. The timber enclosure that runs the length of one side of the pitch has a condemned look about it. All in all, it’s the complete antithesis of Kings Park. Or Twickenham for that matter. Which is where Pienaar’s beloved Sharks were in action over that same March weekend. More than 35 000 watched the South African franchise take on the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Pienaar could have been forgiven if he’d looked on with regrets. Just 2 000 people and a handful of security staff adorned in fluorescent yellow bibs had witnessed Pienaar’s vintage display in Scotland.

If ever there was an occasion capable of breaking Pienaar’s spirit that would have been it.

‘Glasgow was probably the worst place I’ve ever played rugby,’ he says. ‘The pitch was terrible. It was like playing on a sandpit, there wasn’t much grass.’

If truth be told, Ulster’s stock-in-trade, the Celtic League, is the weakest of Europe’s three domestic leagues. The French Top 14 is currently the most affluent and most competitive. With just two rounds of the 26-week league phase to go, nine of the 14 teams were in the running for play-off places. England’s Premiership is next best, thriving as it does on the revenue raised through the competition involving two of the world’s biggest subscription broadcasters, Sky Sports and the recently-launched Disney-owned network ESPN, which shares the TV rights.

Even after this season’s addition of two Italian teams, the Celtic League remains the poor cousin, having suffered financially from the collapse of Irish network Setanta. In Munster, Leinster and the Neath-Swansea Ospreys, the league features three of Europe’s biggest hitters, but its inferior depth allows the bigger squads greater opportunity for rotation and more time to focus on preparing for the season’s showpiece, the European Cup.

Ulster, for so long regarded as Ireland’s ‘third province’, made a significant breakthrough this season. Though they had won the European Cup in 1999 – in the history of professional rugby that’s almost back in the Stone Age – they hadn’t got through the pool phase since.

This season has seen Ulster develop a harder and more physical edge, something that has been credited to the green and gold spine which runs through all three rows of the pack – BJ Botha, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg and Robbie Diack – and to Pienaar at No 9 and, occasionally, 10.

It is no coincidence that the reason Pienaar chose Ulster ahead of other options was because of the established South African presence in Belfast.

‘Johann had already signed up and he mentioned to me that David Humphreys [the former flyhalf and now director of rugby] was looking for a scrumhalf and he asked me if I’d be prepared to talk to them. And it went from there.

‘I didn’t know much about Belfast before coming here so it definitely helped having a couple of South African boys at Ulster. Before I came I got a lot of good feedback from BJ who had been here for a while.’

Much has been made of Pienaar’s frustration about not playing as much as he would have liked back home at scrumhalf. Though as real as his commitment is to the No 9 jersey he is determined to counter suggestions that it is the reason he left.

‘Obviously I wanted to play more at scrumhalf and wasn’t getting too many opportunities. I won’t say I was frustrated but rather looking for something new and fresh where I would have the chance to have extended time at No 9. I’ve enjoyed it so far and am still happy with the decision I made.’

So, as the rugby cliché goes, is Pienaar a victim of his own versatility?

‘When you’re young you’re eager to play and, particularly for the Springboks, you’ll do anything just to be a part of the team.

As you get older, though, maybe it’s not the best thing in the world to be able to cover a couple of positions. I’d prefer to be playing No 9 more for the Boks but obviously it’s a privilege just to be part of it.’

One of Pienaar’s problems, of course, is that whenever he gets a 10 slapped across his back he has a knack of doing well. His Man of the Match performance on the Glasgow lido, for instance, was in the flyhalf role. That day the regular No 10, David Humphreys’ younger brother Ian, was injured.

The Pienaar-Humphreys combination has been a resounding success and one reason the Bok contingent has been extended the status of honorary Ulstermen. Indeed, it is a measure of the popularity of Muller, Wannenburg, Botha, Diack and Pienaar as well as the spread of South Africans across the globe these days that fans’ banners at their Ravenhill home games convey messages of support in languages other than the vernacular.

‘There are a couple of South African flags and Afrikaans banners floating around the stadium virtually every time we play so it’s good to see South Africans supporting and getting behind the team,’ Pienaar says.

In terms of developing his own game, Ulster has certainly played its part. In the past Pienaar’s goal-kicking and temperament have been criticised. But his form throughout Ulster’s European Cup run and nights like those in Glasgow show that he has developed a harder edge. Since being at Ulster he has played in snow for the first time and home games in the southern suburbs at Belfast offer a very different atmosphere to steaming afternoons alongside the Indian Ocean.

‘I didn’t know much about Ravenhill when I first went there,’ he says, ‘so it was quite an eye-opener, especially coming from Kings Park. There is always a great atmosphere – win or lose – at Ravenhill. The crowd and the noise make up for the things it lacks. It’s not the easiest place to play, particularly with the wind which is one thing you’ve got to adapt to. It can really blow you away sometimes.’

Pienaar has one more season left on his Ulster contract. So what then? Back home? Or what about France?

‘I had the option of going there last year,’ he says. ‘But just being married and asking my wife to go to a place where we don’t know the language would have been difficult for us. I’d love to maybe go there one day.

‘I’m definitely not throwing away the chance of going back home. I don’t know when it will be but I would definitely like to go back and maybe play for the Sharks again. I had a great time in Durban. We’ll see where the road takes us.’

– This article first appeared in the June issue of SA Rugby magazine. The July issue will be on sale from Wednesday, 22 June.
Click here to subscribe to print edition
Click here to subscribe to digital edition

Heinke van der Merwe has one cap for the Springboks, in Jake White’s last match in charge, but his international exclusion has been excellent news for Leinster. He spoke to Hugh Farrelly about his life in Dublin, fitting into the Blues’ scrum and the chances of a national recall

‘Liewers slyt as roes’ – The motto of Heinke van der Merwe’s old school in Krugersdorp, outside Johannesburg, is particularly apt when applied to the Leinster prop, translating as: ‘It is better to wear out than rust out.’

The South African has operated largely under the radar compared to his fellow imports this season but it should be noted that he has made 29 appearances (17 starts) for Leinster in the Magners League and Heineken Cup – one more than Richardt Strauss and second only to Isa Nacewa on 30.

The issue of overseas signings has been a contentious one in Irish rugby, given the mixed returns and frequent impeding of the progress of Irish-qualified players. However, Van der Merwe has proven an excellent acquisition, driving on Cian Healy to his best season so far, while stepping up to the plate in a big way while the Ireland loose-head was away.

Against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup semi-final, Healy had been having a big game, battling doggedly against the renowned Toulouse scrum but still finding the energy to make a profound impact in the loose. When he went off to receive treatment in the second half, Van der Merwe ran on as blood substitution and his first act was to help win a crucial penalty after obliterating the champions’ scrum.

It was the turning point in that rip-roaring contest and when the South African backed it up with some storming runs around the park, it was an easy decision to leave him on.

But, aside from his sterling efforts in his debut season with Leinster, what do we know about the 26-year-old?

First up, Van der Merwe is an out-and-out Afrikaner, fitting the bill of farming background, commitment to family, careful courtesy when speaking English (Afrikaans is his first language) and embracing rugby as a means of cultural identity.

Monument High School (named after the Paardeburg Monument built to commemorate the South African republic’s decision to resist Britain’s attempts to annex their country in 1880) has produced Springboks of the calibre of Brendan Venter and Jaque Fourie and was the reason the Van der Merwe family left the farm school where his father had worked as a teacher.

His father, Schalk, known to all and sundry as ‘Oupa’ – the Afrikaans title which literally means ‘Grandpa’ but is used as a term of respect and high standing. And Oupa was viewed in that light as a powerful tighthead prop for Transvaal in the 1980s and early ’90s, the elder statesman alongside the likes of Uli Schmidt and Kobus Wiese, who would likely have earned international honours but for South Africa’s exclusion when he was at his peak.

Heinke grew up watching Oupa play Currie Cup in the famous red and white jersey and it was always going to be Transvaal (who became the Lions) when he graduated to senior ranks.

The Lions have had an underwhelming record in Super Rugby but Van der Merwe – South African U19 Player of the Year in 2004 – produced enough in domestic competition to come to Jake White’s attention and earned his solitary cap against Wales in Cardiff in 2007.

That was White’s last match in charge and, though he made the squad in 2008, Van der Merwe has dropped out of the international picture, one of the reasons he decided to try his hand abroad.

‘My dad played tighthead for Transvaal, he was a decent rugby player and went onto become a coach. I was always going to play for the Lions,’ he said. ‘It was a good club to play for. I was from there so it meant a lot to me to pull on the jersey and I think it is similar to some of the guys here at Leinster who were born and went to school here and came through the Academy to the senior side.

‘Leinster basically came about through talking to guys like Ollie Le Roux and CJ [ex-Leinster prop CJ van der Linde]. CJ came back and I got the opportunity and said I would take it. I knew Leinster were a good club, with a good record and I wanted a change, it was the right time.’

He waited until his wife gave birth to a baby boy last summer before making the move and the family are happily settled in Rathfarnham, where he is enjoying life off the pitch as much as on.

‘Life is good here, the players here are of a high class and the rugby has been very good so it has been brilliant all over. We have been out in Dublin a few times, my sister came over with her husband and my wife’s sister came over too, it is a good place to live. I am staying close to Marlay Park with my wife and the little one so I am kept very busy when I am not playing or training.’

Healy picked up a knock in the Magners League semi-final win over Ulster last Friday but is expected to start against Northampton on Saturday and Van der Merwe – at pains to deflect credit for his Toulouse showing – believes the competition in Joe Schmidt’s squad has been critical to progress.

‘Definitely, it is bringing the best out of the squad, it keeps you on your toes. Against Toulouse, I was fortunate to come on at that stage, it was a team effort in that scrum, not down to any individual making a difference. That is something we have been working hard on all season and it paid off, everybody got stuck in and we got the penalty, it was an important moment.

‘That match was up there as one of the top games I’ve been involved in, the atmosphere at the Aviva with the full crowd and so many behind us. The supporters have been brilliant, at the RDS week-in week-out, really getting behind the team, it makes a big difference.

‘Also, I think Joe [Schmidt] and Leo [Cullen] have been excellent. Leo has been playing for a long time and his experience shows, he is a great leader. Like me, Joe is in his first season with Leinster and is a brilliant coach, one of the best coaches I have worked with.’

As a major, if not defining strength of Northampton’s game, the scrum is likely to have a huge bearing on Saturday and Van der Merwe is looking forward to locking horns with an old team-mate.

‘Brian Mujati was born in Zimbabwe but came to South Africa and played for the Springboks. I know him quite well, we played together at the Lions in the Currie Cup and Super 14 before he moved to the Stormers. I won’t contact Brian before the game but I will definitely meet up afterwards. I think the scrum is one of the strongest aspects of Northampton’s game but they’re a good all-round side.’

One year into a two-year contract, Van der Merwe is well bedded in at Leinster. Although he admits to being the ‘quiet boy’ in the corner of the dressing-room and has yet to acquire a nickname, he says he has thoroughly enjoyed the spirit in the squad, citing the good humour of recently retired hooker John Fogarty and reputed canine connoisseur Stan Wright.

A couple of medals over the next two weeks would surely gain attention back home but Van der Merwe is not expecting a phone call from Peter de Villiers for the World Cup, good news for Leinster but disappointing for a player of his ability.

‘I don’t really know a reason for it [international exclusion] but I don’t think it has anything to do with the coach. I got my cap in Jake White’s last game in charge when we beat Wales at the Millennium but then nothing after that. It’s one of these things that is out of my hands. I just want to play and do well for the Leinster team, I love what I’m doing and if it happens, it happens.’

Centre Marius Joubert was the top South African performer in the European league play-offs this weekend, producing an impressive 80-minute performance that contributed to Clermont’s 27-17 comeback victory against Biarritz in the French Top 14 semi-final qualifiers. Clermont were 17-6 down at half-time, but gave a strong second-half showing for the win. Joubert, who will join the Sharks at the end of Clermont’s season, will now feature in his team’s semi-final clash against Toulouse on 28 May.

Centre Grant Rees’ Montepellier will square off against utility back Frans Steyn, No 8 Jacques Cronje and lock Francois van der Merwe’s Racing Metro in the other play-off after they edged Castres 18-17 in their qualifier.

In England, tighthead prop Brian Mujati delivered a strong performance up front for Northampton Saints’ in their play-off against Leicester, but his team still lost 11-3. Northampton’s season isn’t over as they will face Leinster in the European Cup final on 21 May.

Leicester will face Saracens in the final after the latter recorded a 12-10 win over Gloucester. Centre Brad Barritt, hooker Schalk Brits, lock Mouritz Botha and Ernst Joubert started for the Watford-based club while scrumhalf Neil de Kock came off the bench.

In the Celtic League, hooker Richardt Strauss and replacement prop Heinke van der Merwe contributed to Leinster’s 18-3 win over Ulster. Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar kicked a 60m penalty in a disappointing overall display from the South African contingent of flanker Pedrie Wannenburg, No 8 Robbie Diack and lock Johann Muller. Replacement looshead prop Wian du Preez did well off the bench in Munster’s 18-11 win over Ospreys.