Stormers' Deon Fourie: 'We're finally starting to get to grips with the Champions Cup'

They already have a URC title under their belt from 2022 but a South African team is yet to step beyond the quarter-finals the of Champions Cup. The forward believes South African sides have a point to prove in the tournament

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025 - 06:00

PJ Browne

Watching Lawrence Dallaglio, Chris Robshaw, and Johnny Barclay name the sides they believe will win the Champions Cup this year, and only mention South African teams when prompted, seemed to stick in Deon Fourie’s craw.

Fourie’s Stormers will put their perfect start to the URC season on the line when they face Munster, the other unbeaten team in the competition, at Thomond Park on Saturday.

“The first few years we had to learn how to adapt,” he said at the Champions Cup launch on Wednesday, “how to manage two competitions and I think we're starting to get the hang of it, young guys getting through, our squad depth is getting there as well.

“It felt for me a bit like, when the panel were up there, they're not giving us a chance and I think for South African teams, that's the only bit of motivation we need.

“We're now in the fourth season (in the Champions Cup). You're getting used to it, getting used to the travel, getting used to know how to play against... when you play up in Glasgow and the wind is howling and it's cold and stuff like that, so you learn with time. I think we're starting to get to the grips with this tournament.”

Fourie believes the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers’ move to European competitions has been beneficial for the Springboks.

“I think with coming up to Europe, every team is different,” he said.

“Every environment is different and you have to adapt. I don't want to bash Super Rugby, but I've played there a lot, but it's the same teams, almost the same style every year - year in, year out.”

Fourie became the oldest ever Springboks debutant a few months shy of his 36th birthday in 2022. He went on to win the World Cup the following year. His versatility, being able to play hooker and in the backrow, was key.

André Esterhuizen, who can play centre and in the backrow, is Rassie Erasmus’ latest hybrid weapon. Fourie believes more players will start to understand the opportunities being able to play multiple positions can present.

“I think they're starting to see the benefit of it, if something goes wrong,” 39-year-old Fourie said about coaches deciding to have versatile options in their matchday squads.

“I definitely think there's players that are going to think about it, of maybe adding something in their quiver to make them more selectable for teams.

“I definitely think it will be (important), especially how the game develops now, faster, more ball in play time.”

Fourie said the pummelling which South Africa gave Ireland in the scrum last weekend is down to a combination of high quality coaching – he particularly cites the influence of Springboks’ scrum coach Daan Human – and culture. He also believes former referee Jaco Peyper being part of Erasmus’s backroom team has been positive.

“I think the culture as well is always forwards-dominated,” he said. “But credit to Daan as well. I've been involved with him for two years.

“The way he sees the scrums and challenges the guys to perform in scrums at training and on the field, I think it's picking the fruits of that at the moment.

“I think with Jaco Peyper that's on the management with the Springboks, he knows what's going on in the circles of the reffing and he communicates it in that way to Rassie and Daan. I think that's beneficial to have someone like Jaco Peyper.”