RG, Trokkie locked ‘n loaded
Springbok world champion RG Snyman and South African powerhouse Juarno Augustus are set to clash in the last four of the Investec Champions Cup this weekend.
Two-time World Cup winner Snyman starts for Irish giants Leinster in their heavyweight semi-final against the Northampton Saints at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The towering South African partners Joe McCarthy in the engine room as Leo Cullen’s men pursue their first European cup crown since 2018. Captain Caelan Doris leads from No 8, flanked by Josh van der Flier and Max Deegan in a formidable back row.
Sam Prendergast gets the nod at flyhalf alongside Jamison Gibson-Park, while New Zealand star Jordie Barrett provides impact from the bench.
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson has named former Stormers and Junior Springboks No 8 Augustus in his starting XV. The powerful ball-carrier retains his place in an unchanged back row featuring Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock, the latter a nominee for 2025 Investec Player of the Year.
Trevor Davison returns at tighthead prop in the only change to the Saints side that dismantled Bristol Bears last week. England halfbacks Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith direct operations behind a pack featuring in-form locks Temo Mayanavanua and Alex Coles.
Saturday’s clash reprises last season’s dramatic encounter where Leinster won 20-17 after a nail-biting finish.
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Sunday’s all-French semi-final sees Bordeaux-Begles host defending champions Toulouse at the Matmut Atlantique stadium.
Coach Yannick Bru makes three changes to the Bordeaux lineup. Sipili Falatea starts at tighthead prop, Nicolas Depoortere returns at outside centre and Romain Buros slots in at fullback as Les Damiers chase a maiden final appearance.
Toulouse’s bid for a record seventh European title has been dealt significant blows with the absence of record points-scorer Thomas Ramos, who’s ruled out with a calf injury, prompting Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia to start at fullback and assume the goal-kicking duties.
The six-time champions must also navigate the knockout showdown without talismanic scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, hooker Peato Mauvaka and Scotland wing Blair Kinghorn.
The winners will advance to the Champions Cup final in Cardiff on Saturday, 24 May.
Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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