As soon as they won against the Bulls (33-9), Toulouse were well aware of what awaited them in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup against the Sharks.
The step is much higher, the threat much greater.
"What is certain is that it will be necessary to evolve a tone above that during this meeting to pass against the Sharks, who crushed Munster (50-35) thanks to recovery balloons",
put warns international full-back Thomas Ramos.
In the round of 16, the Durban franchise struck a blow by unceremoniously crushing the Irish from Cork, who are accustomed to Champions Cup games.
“The Irish had prepared their match very seriously, they had their full team, and despite that, they took 50 points,
continues scrum half Antoine Dupont.
You only have to look at the composition of the Sharks to get an idea of their level and the intensity they will put on next Saturday.
Even if they will be deprived of Eben Etzebeth (ex-Toulon) and their scrum half Jaden Hendrikse, the South Africans will land - despite many adventures - with their garrison of Springboks: the third line Siya Kolisi, captain world champions, the rough hooker Bongi Mbonambi, the amazing center Lukhanyo Am or the formidable winger Makazole Mapimpi.
What beautiful people...
"I had rarely seen Munster shattered like this"
Manager Ugo Mola calls the Sharks "
the ultra favorites in the competition"
with "
world-class players, outsized guys who can score at any time."
And the Toulouse technician to detail: “
I watched the Sharks match and I had rarely seen Munster shattered like this in an international competition.
They scored on three sprinted balls and three interceptions.
»
Toulouse is prepared “
to have a big fight in these sectors, on the defensive pressure because it leaves little energy in the game. The ball does not always interest them.
When they have the ball, they hide it from you and you can't see it again.
And when they don't have it, they pressure you to quickly get it back.
»
Read alsoChampions Cup: before facing Toulouse, the Sharks will experience an improbable journey
Upon landing on the Old Continent, the South African teams had clearly announced the color: to win titles quickly.
This was the case last season in the United Rugby Championship (URC, ex-Celtic League) won by the Stormers against the Bulls, under the nose and beard of the Irish teams, Ulster and Leinster losing in half -final.
And it is now in the Champions Cup that the "Sud-Afs" intend to impose their law.
Even if it makes some teeth cringe, the story is on.
As Philippe Sanghero, director of the agency Team One (communication strategy consultant for sports players) and consultant for
Sud Radio
, explains to Le
Figaro
:
“We have to accept that since the entry of the CVC investment fund
( who has shares in the URC and the Six Nations, editor's note),
we have changed worlds and that we will not go back.
Once we have said that, we must see the positive.
Rugby was going around in circles and the fact that an actor arrives and breaks the codes is not necessarily bad.
Even if I understand that it can be a little shocking…”
The Sharks have a budget equivalent to that of Provence Rugby
Impressive on the ground, these new South African players are nevertheless arriving in Europe with limited means.
"Today, the Sharks have a budget of 12 million euros - it's the equivalent of Provence Rugby in Pro D2 - with 50 players under pro contract, 11 players under federal contract and a payroll of 5 million euros. euros,
continues Philippe Sanghero.
And in their squad, there are eight world champions under contract with their federation.
Even if their contracts were reinstated in the Sharks' budget, we would only be at 8-9 million payroll
(against 10.7 million in Top 14, editor's note)
.
And, for comparison, Toulouse has a budget of 45 million this year!
Read alsoChampions Cup: "Toulouse is made for the final stages", insists Antoine Dupont
Admittedly, South Africa is currently experiencing serious economic problems, with in particular an unemployment rate which rose to 33.5% after the health crisis and a standard of living much lower than that of European countries.
But the Covid-19 has done damage throughout the oval planet, except in France where the clubs have held up thanks to numerous government aid.
Philippe Sanghero recalls that
"with the collapse of the English rugby economy, the market value of players on a global level does not correspond to what is done in French rugby".
Despite measures to regulate the headlong rush of clubs (implementation of a salary cap and JIFFs), the Top 14 is an exception.
“
Today, in rugby, we are in a context where the money is in Europe, and in particular in France.
We can't lie to each other on this aspect, ”
explained Flip van der Merwe, the former South African second line of the Bulls and Clermont.
Could the arrival of less paid but equally competitive players change the economy of the Top 14?
“If, tomorrow, the French clubs stopped speculating and everyone agreed to reduce the airfoil, a correct Top 14 player would be worth 10,000 euros per month and not 23,000, stings Philippe Sanghero
.
And if certain clubs had a lower payroll of 2 or 3 million euros, they would be able to earn money..."
Beyond the sporting aspect, the arrival of the South Africans could therefore, at term, have economic consequences on the Old Continent.
