As a former Stormers player, Toulouse flanker Rynhardt Elstadt is looking forward to taking on the Bulls in their Champions Cup round-of-16 encounter on Sunday.
The 33-year-old has been plying his trade with Le Rouge et Noir since 2017 but prior to that he was an important member of the Stormers squad, making his debut in 2010.
Highly motivated
The Cape Town-based outfit and the Bulls are arch rivals and the traditional heavyweights of the South African game. Elstadt is highly motivated to do well against the men from Pretoria and expects a big challenge from them.
“They used to be my big rivals back home,” he told AFP. “It’s always a dog fight. I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m sure they’re also looking forward to playing one of the really good sides in France.”
This weekend will be the first time that the Bulls and Stormers will be involved in knockout matches in the Champions Cup, with the men from Cape Town hosting Harlequins on Saturday.
South African franchises spent more than 20 years playing in Super Rugby before they joined the United Rugby Championship last season and Elstadt feels it has been a good move as it benefits them on a geographical basis.
“I think logistic-wise for South African teams travelling up north is much easier,” he said. “We were used to travelling 10 or 12 hours, it was a bit difficult.
“To mix the southern and the northern hemispheres is good for rugby in general.”
Elstadt made his debut for South Africa in 2019 in the build-up to the World Cup in Japan but despite making four Test appearances, he missed out on selection for the Boks’ squad which lifted the Webb-Ellis Cup as champions that year.
After that disappointment, he is determined to be part of his country’s squad when the global showpiece takes place on familiar territory for him later this year.
“I’m a bit older now, but I’ve always got the ambition of playing with the Springboks, especially in the World Cup,” he said. “It’s every player’s ambition.
“If I do get the opportunity to join the Springboks, it would be phenomenal, especially when it’s in France,” he added.
Star players set to return
Toulouse will be at full strength when they host the Bulls this weekend as several of France’s Six Nations players – including star half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack – are set to return to action for their club after being rested for their Top 14 loss to Castres last weekend.
Their is a possibility that France and South Africa could face off in a World Cup quarter-final.
“I’m sure the French will try to do their homework on South African teams and players,” said Elstadt.
“Especially when they play in France, to see which style they’ll play against French teams and try to adapt that for the World Cup.”
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