The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers must heed the lessons from their inaugural tours to Europe if they are to succeed in the next round of overseas rugby matches.
The first instalment of the United Rugby Championship (URC) has thrown up a number of surprises. While the four SA teams were always expected to struggle away from home, few could have predicted they would combine for only four wins in 16 overseas matches.
The Stormers returned the best results on their four-match tour to Europe over September and October last year, with one draw and one victory. The Bulls and Sharks — the teams with the best resources in players and structures — had just one win apiece, while the beleaguered Lions struggled after scoring a bonus-point victory in their tour opener.
These results were met with outrage and no small amount of concern. What many failed to take into account was the record of these teams in away matches over five years. The SA teams battled in the final seasons of the old Super Rugby tournament, whether they were competing in Argentina, Australia, New Zealand or Asia.
Though they have won major tournaments and series, the Springboks have also had their problems on the road.
Let’s look at the Bulls. The Pretoria side won the Super Rugby title three times between 2007 and 2010. Lately they won two Currie Cup titles in a single year.
But they have not been able to achieve that away from Loftus, winning only four of their last 25 matches overseas. They failed to win in Argentina or New Zealand between 2016 and 2020, and lost twice to the lowly Sunwolves in Asia. In June 2021, they travelled to Treviso, Italy, as heavy favourites to beat Europe’s perennial stragglers, Benetton, for the Rainbow Cup. Benetton handed the Bulls a physical and tactical lesson and won by an emphatic 35-8.
Jake White’s Bulls were given another reality check when they began their URC campaign in Europe. They lost 31-7 to Leinster, 34-7 to Connacht and 17-10 to Edinburgh, with only the solitary 29-19 win against Cardiff.
The other teams endured similar struggles away during a similar five-year period. The Lions have won nine of their last 28 overseas matches. They claimed a 38-26 bonus-point win against Italian side Zebre last September, then lost 36-13 to Scarlets of Wales, 13-9 to Glasgow and 26-10 to Ulster in Ireland.
The Sharks have won the most matches on tour in recent years. That said, their record during this period (11 wins in 29 matches) hardly reveals dominance. Like the Bulls, they underwhelmed on their recent tour to Europe, losing 42-17 to Munster, 35-24 to Glasgow and 23-17 to Cardiff. The 27-13 victory against Ospreys was their only success.
The Stormers have won six of their last 22 overseas games. On their most recent tour, after losing 22-18 to Benetton and 34-18 to Munster, the Cape-based side drew 20-20 with Edinburgh and beat the Dragons 24-10.
Former SA players who have enjoyed lengthy stints with clubs in the northern hemisphere say the younger players at the local teams will take time to adjust to European conditions and referees.
That may be true, but there is evidence to suggest SA rugby has a greater problem. The mindset must change if local teams are to reverse the trend, win regularly away from home and challenge the top European teams.
The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will need to step up physically and mentally in the coming week if they are going to win their matches in Europe. The four teams haven’t played against a foreign club for four months.
While sides like the Sharks and Stormers have produced some dazzling attacking displays in the recent derbies, a more pragmatic approach will be required in the northern hemisphere.
The Bulls will travel to Zebre on Friday February 25. Most would expect them to beat the Italian club, and yet the Bulls — who sit 12th on the overall log — should take nothing for granted. On the same date, the Lions will have a far tougher assignment when they face Irish giants Leinster on a cold night in Dublin.
The Sharks and Stormers should look to make their opportunities count. While Sean Everitt’s Sharks have played enterprising rugby against local rivals, they were far from clinical and lost matches they should have won.
The Sharks have to beat Benetton on Saturday February 26 to stay in touch with the Stormers in the race for top spot in the SA pool. The team that wins the SA group will qualify for next season’s Champions Cup.
The Stormers have struck a successful balance between running and kicking in recent months and have reason to feel confident. On February 26 they are up against a well-organised Connacht team who know how to make the most of wet, windy Irish conditions.
If the Stormers pass this test they will consolidate their position — and status — as SA’s form team.
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