Cape Town to host Saracens’ Heineken Cup clash

SARACENS have announced that they will play their Heineken Cup pool stage clash with Biarritz in Cape Town, marking the first time the tournament has seen a fixture played outside Europe.

European Rugby Cup and the International Rugby Board have approved an application from the Aviva Premiership champions which will see South Africa become the 10th country to stage a match in Europe’s elite club competition.

Saracens have strong links with South Africa. Their chief executive Ed Griffiths formerly worked for the South African Rugby Union, while technical advisor and former rugby director Brendan Venter was a Springbok international. Saracens also have 13 South African-born players in their first-team squad, with current South Africa captain John Smit set to join them following the conclusion of the World Cup in New Zealand.