SA COACHES MAKE THEIR MARK IN URC

The influence of South African coaches in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) is nowhere more evident than in the current log standings, where they occupy positions with six of the top eight teams.

Jake White’s Bulls, John Dobson’s Stormers and Ivan van Rooyen’s Lions are the obvious South African coaching influences in the competition.

But when you add Jacques Nienaber’s role with top-of-thetable Leinster, Franco Smith as head coach of the Glasgow Warriors and Sean Everitt in the same role with Edinburgh Rugby, it’s clear that more than just South African players are relishing the opportunities provided by the new North-South competition.

Everitt shared his insights into why a club such as Edinburgh Rugby in particular has become such fertile ground for South African players, and now himself as a coach.

“I said on my arrival in Scotland that my transition from South Africa to Scotland was made easier by the people around me and the Scottish welcome that I received.

“The Scots have been extremely hospitable and they are extremely friendly people as well so, it makes it an easy transition for anyone to come and live in Edinburgh,” said the former Hollywoodbets Sharks coach.

“I think it’s a small rugby community and the players also have a social responsibility to the community, so they do feel part of a family when they come over. It’s a great environment to be in. Edinburgh Rugby club is also quite intimate in its size.

Meanwhile, The Cape Town Stadium is set to witness an epic clash of the titans on Saturday when Springbok legends Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff go head-to-head as the Stormers take on Ulster in their URC match-up.

It is the first time Kitshoff will be facing off against his old side since his move to Ulster during the pre-season, which will bring a lot of excitement for everyone involved.

In last week’s win against Edinburgh, Malherbe made his return from an injury he suffered at the Rugby World Cup last year with a 40-minute showing, and he will hopefully get the chance to start again and take on his good friend and now rival Kitshoff.

Malherbe and Kitshoff spent over a decade together at the Stormers and won two World Cups together with the Springboks, so they have faced off in training many times over the years, but this will be their first time fronting up against each other on opposite sides.

“They’ve scrummed against each other twice a week for the last 14 years. I think it’s going to be interesting, because they know each other so well. They are big mates,” said Stormers assistant coach Labeeb Levy.

— Michael Vlismas Media, The