A journey to remember for Joubert

ERNST JOUBERT shouldn’t be a rugby player. He should be an accountant, or a full-time traveller. And it is as much to his surprise as anyone else’s that he will be lining up for Saracens against Leinster at Wembley this afternoon.

The South African didn’t make his professional debut until the age of 25, and has spent more time playing for Stellenbosch University than he has for any club. Armed with an accountancy and management degree, few noticed when he signed up for Brendan Venter’s Saracens revolution at the start of last season, but they have now.

Nominated for last season’s Premiership Player of the Year Award, the No.8, who weighs in at 6ft 4in and 16st, this week signed a contract extension that will keep him in London until the end of next season. To say it is well deserved is an understatement.