Trokkie blocks Nienaber’s road to Euro cup glory

Jacques Nienaber and Juarno Augustus are among the South Africans set to clash in the last four of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup this week.

Vodacom URC front-runners Leinster, guided by former Springbok coach Nienaber’s defensive nous and fellow two-time World Cup winner RG Snyman’s physicality, head into Saturday’s Champions Cup clash against Northampton in Dublin on the back of a 35-22 defeat at Scarlets last week – their second loss in 22 matches this season. 

The Saints, meanwhile, showcased their attacking prowess with a seven-try 48-31 demolition of Bristol Bears in the English Premiership, featuring another standout performance from former Junior Springbok No 8 Augustus.

The second semi-final sees Bordeaux-Begles host defending champions Toulouse. Bordeaux, featuring Bok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, recently went down to La Rochelle in the Top 14 but had overwhelmed Munster 47-29 in the quarters.

Toulouse enter Sunday’s contest on a high after crushing local rivals Castres 52-6, although lost star fullback Blair Kinghorn to injury.

WATCH: Trokkie barges through Bears

In the Challenge Cup, Edinburgh – who scraped a 25-25 draw in Parma last Friday, thanks to Cammy Scott’s last-gasp conversion – host Bath at Hive Stadium.

Boan Venter, who scored a brace of tries against Zebre, and fellow prop Pierre Schoeman are set to lock horns with Bok powerhouse Thomas du Toit, while Sean Everitt and Johann van Graan face off from opposite coaches’ boxes.

Van Graan’s Bath on Saturday secured top seeding in the Premiership with a crushing 55-19 victory over Newcastle.

The all-French semi between Lyon and Racing 92 completes the lineup. Lyon, captained by two-Test Bok Arno Botha, will need to improve after a 39-31 defeat to Clermont marred by three yellow cards.

Racing 92, featuring former Stormers Hacjivah Dayimani and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, have momentum following a 49-24 win over Stade Francais, with Owen Farrell kicking 11 points.

Champions Cup semi-finals:
Saturday, 3 May
Leinster vs Northampton Saints, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 6.30pm
Sunday 4 May
Bordeaux-Begles vs Toulouse, Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, 5pm

Challenge Cup semi-finals:
Saturday, 3 May
Edinburgh vs Bath, Hive Stadium, Edinburgh, 4pm
Sunday, 4 May
Lyon vs Racing 92, Matmut Stadium, Lyon, 2.30pm

Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images