And we’re full of confidence
For someone who originally hails from Potchefstroom in the Cape, mixing it against the Springboks of Montpellier was something Van der Walt relished, especially against one of his heroes. That “local” association also proved handy for Edinburgh.
“There was some Afrikaans flying about out there. Me and Pierre [Schoeman] heard Frans Steyn speaking it to the other guys, and it was quite nice to be able to understand what they were saying. Obviously, I then told the boys next to me,” van der Walt said.
“When he [Steyn] played in the World Cup in 2007 I was 13. Playing against him for the first time on Friday night was quite nice. I actually wanted a photo afterwards, but I’m not going to be that guy.”
Van der Walt headed for “home” after the Montpellier match along with the rest of the Edinburgh squad, in advance of next weekend’s Pro14 meeting with the Southern Kings, much-needed respite from the rigours of the Scottish weather.
“I’m looking forward to that – going back home and seeing some sun. I’m excited for it.
“Before the game on Friday night, they said it might snow, and for South Africans who don’t see snow a lot it was quite nice. I don’t think you get used to the cold but, to be honest, you just need to forget about it. I actually wanted to play in my tracksuit on Friday.” IF there is little clarity for Scots concerning Europe in political terms, then things are no clearer when it came to the Heineken Champions Cup, Europe’s premier cl ub competition.
With the final group games being held today, the results from Leinster’s visit to Wasps and Toulouse hosting Bath will impact on who lays claim to the last remaining home tie in the last eight.
Edinburgh will have a home tie, guaranteed, most likely against Munster. Glasgow, again depending on results beyond their control, could end up as the lowest-ranked side, meaning a possible away tie versus Saracens again in the knockout stages.
Yesterday, Warriors did their best to influence the permutations against Saracens but failed to blot their 100 per cent record, coming up short, much to the frustration of coach Dave Rennie. However, Rennie promised more from his side come the knockout round.
“We played really well in the first 60 minutes. We put them under a fair bit of heat in the third quarter,” he said.
“The attitude was great and we put them under a lot of pressure, but you have to turn pressure into points and we didn’t do that after half time.
“In the last 15 to 20 minutes we kicked too much ball away to them and they hurt us. They’re a big side so you have to defend well.
“At various times they looked pretty shattered but the only way you can run them around is by maintaining ball and pressure.
“I thought maybe we kicked a little bit too much ball away aimlessly in that last part of the game. But, whoever we play [ in the quarter- finals] or wherever it is, we’ll give it plenty.”
Glasgow had nothing to lose against Saracens and during the first half went toe to toe with the English (and European) giants, who only just shaded it on points.
The eventual outcome was a unanimous decision in favour of the Londoners. However, Glasgow were missing Fraser Brown, Callum Gibbins and Pete Horne through crocked knees, while ankle ailments accounted for Zander Fagerson, Bruce Flockhart and George Turner, with Matt Fagerson the exception as his shoulder has failed him.
Whether those guys are considered starters, benchmen or merely additions to the squad, a clean bill of health on any of them will help Rennie in the next round.
Man-of-the-match, Saracens and England star Maro Itoje, who helped his side achieve top seeding after an unbeaten group campaign, praised Glasgow’s commitment.
“This game was by no means easy,” said Itoje. “Glasgow are a top side. They challenged us physically, they played a very expansive game of rugby, and tested us at times.
“European rugby is never easy. Glasgow are going to give any team they play a challenge.”
Of concern after both of Scotland’s Pro14 forays this weekend were injuries to key Scotland personnel ahead of Gregor Townsend’s Six Nations squad coming together today.
With Edinburgh’s Hamish Watson extremely doubtful with what appears to be a broken hand, Glasgow were hit by injuries to Scotland forwards Jonny Gray and Ryan Wilson that cast doubt over their participation in the Six Nations opener against Italy, while Sam Johnson and Grant Stewart were also casualties.
“Jonny’s shoulder got really weak halfway through the first half,” Rennie said. “Ryan hurt his shoulder as well. He took a knock late in the first half and it stiffened up at half time.
“Hopefully they’re not too bad. They’ll go into camp with Scotland next week and hopefully they’ll be fine.”