A new era dawns for Europe-bound South African teams

Conor McGregor’s ingenious marketing slogan about not being here to take part so much as take over couldn’t but come to mind. And let’s not forget that the Bulls and Stormers capped their first URC by contesting the final on home soil.

WHOLE NEW BALL GAME: Handre Pollard believes teams will struggle to adjust to the challenge of going to South Africa in January. Pic: Ashley Vlotman/Getty Images

RURAL Buckinghamshire, early December, and there is a distinctly South African flavour to the Crowne Plaza hotel at Gerrard’s Cross as the latest edition of the Heineken Champions Cup had a bottle smashed on its flank and started down the slipway.

Broadcaster Elma Smit lassoed the occasion into shape and peppered the frothy chat with words like ‘braai’ and ‘lekker’ while lobbing underarm questions at a corral of players on stage.