This Saturday afternoon, Stade-Toulousain will challenge the Durban Sharks on the third day of the Champions Cup.
As this meeting approaches, La Dépêche du Midi interviewed former Toulouse third row Rynhard Elstadt.
The South African player confirmed that temperatures are currently very high in Durban. Extract:
It’s very hot at the moment. I’m in Pretoria and the temperature there is 32-34 degrees with 90% humidity. Durban is the wettest and hottest city in the country, it is next to the ocean. The climate resembles that of Nice in summer with the addition of waves.
He is not worried about the people of Toulouse. Extract:
Stade Toulousain should easily adapt. It’s not like he’s going to play in high-altitude cities like Pretoria or Johannesburg. There, it would have been very complicated. But in Durban, there will not be much difference from French cities in summer.
In Toulouse it is also hot and humid in summer. The players will have difficulty the first few days but after that it will be easy. The bodies will adapt to the local climate. This is why the group travels all week. On the other hand, they will sweat a lot and you will have to be careful because the balls slip a lot.
He says: the arrival of Stade-Toulousain created a lot of excitement in South Africa. Extract:
Everyone is very happy to see this team in South Africa. The supporters can’t wait. There is a certain excitement because everyone loves watching Stade Toulousain and their spectacular play. Toulouse has stars in its ranks that people rarely have the opportunity to see play. Here, everyone knows Stade Toulousain because many French internationals play there.
-He explains the differences between southern Rugby and northern rugby. Extract:
For me, southern rugby is very different, because the game is not fast like in Europe. In South Africa, the emphasis is on combat. Players like and accept physical duels. In France, they appreciate it less like Toulouse who prefer to play quickly and circulate the ball.
He then gives his opinion on the level of play of the Sharks. Extract:
It’s a great team with great players but there aren’t any great performances. I have no idea why. This year, the Sharks are not in good shape. If I watch away games in Europe, they lose all the time. But it is like all South African clubs which are in difficulty at the moment.
In previous years the Stormers have performed well in the United Rugby Championship (a championship which brings together Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Italian and South African provinces, Editor’s note). But this is a different, more difficult competition. They have to face the best teams in the world like Stade Toulousain.
To conclude, he said he expected a big victory for Stade-Toulousain. Extract:
But for me, Toulouse will win easily. The first fifteen minutes will be very difficult because the Sharks are strong but if Stade Toulousain stays calm and plays its game: in the second half it’s ciao. This is always how it happens with Toulouse. 17-42 for Toulouse. There will be a big difference in the score.
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