The Springboks and All Blacks, who faced off in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, have now become teammates just a year later, a scenario few would have imagined. Yet, this has become a reality as players from the two rugby powerhouses now join forces in European club rugby.
Recently, All Blacks star Jordie Barrett was officially introduced as Leinster’s newest signing. This move places him alongside Springbok lock RG Snyman under the guidance of former Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber, who now oversees Leinster’s campaign in Ireland.
Barrett’s signing was confirmed on Monday, and he shared his enthusiasm about integrating with the European giants. Speaking to New Zealand media, he expressed his excitement about training with the team, mentioning that although many internationals are currently away, the environment is filled with fresh faces, making it a special time he is eager to embrace.
For Leinster and coach Nienaber, the stakes are high. Despite consistently dominating the league phases of the United Rugby Championship (URC), the team has yet to win any of the three editions of the competition. Additionally, Leinster has suffered three consecutive losses in Champions Cup finals, despite entering each season as one of the favorites. This string of near misses has put significant pressure on the team to deliver silverware in the upcoming season.
To address these challenges, Leinster has made several high-profile signings, including Snyman and Barrett, as they look to bolster their squad. The question now is whether the combination of Springboks and All Blacks talent will help Nienaber and Leinster achieve success in the highly competitive European rugby scene.