Kirsten relishing Bulls' reunion
By Mark Stevens
28/6/22
Exeter Chiefs forward Jannes Kirsten says he is relishing a return to his former club in the Heineken Champions Cup.
The Chiefs were today pitted against French outfit Castres Olympique, as well as South African newcomers, the Bulls, following the competition’s draw at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Bulls, together with the Stormers and the Sharks, will make their debuts in Europe’s top club competition, which will get underway on the weekend of December 9/10/11.
For Kirsten, who grew up just a spin pass away from the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, it’s a draw which clearly excited the imposing forward when he found out back in his homeland.
“When I moved to England back in 2019 did I ever think I would be playing a game against the Bulls,” he said. “At that time, they were in Super Rugby and I wanted to go over to Europe and try my hand at things over here. Obviously, a lot has changed in the last few years because of Covid and now the South African teams are playing in the URC (United Rugby Championship) and now in the Champions Cup.
“For me personally, it’s a very exciting draw, especially coming up against the club I started my career with. As I said, I didn’t expect to be facing them, but it will be a good challenge for us as a club. As people will have seen, they’ve just come runners-up in the URC and played very well in that competition.
“Having the South African sides come into the Champions Cup will definitely add something to it. They have shown they are big, physical sides who can really test the opposition, but the other challenge for them and for teams in Europe will be adapting to conditions at that time.
“Going over to Pretoria, you’ll have to consider the altitude, the weather, it’ll be summer at that time, so it will be very hot. Equally, the Bulls coming over here, it will be much different, probably wet weather and colder, so it’s going to test sides for sure.”
But as Kirsten knows well, the challenge of the Champions Cup is one that tests every side and he expects Castres – who themselves came runners-up to Montpellier in last season’s Top 14 – will be an equally tough opponent to overcome.
“The challenge is there every week, whether it’s in the Premiership or in Europe,” added Kirsten. “You know playing in those competitions you’re going to come up against world class players and world class teams.
“As players, though, it’s where you want to test yourself. You want to play against the best in the world and that’s definitely what happens in these competitions.”
Certainly, the Chiefs will be able to glean some much-needed information on their new South African opponents, not just from Kirsten himself, but also compatriot Jacques Vermeulen, as well as newcomers Aidon Davis and Ruben Van Heerden, who will arrive at the club this summer.