Ma'a Nonu urges South African sides to seize Champions Cup opportunity

By SABC Sport
6th October 2026

All Blacks legend and Sharks centre Ma'a Nonu has delivered a clear message to South African franchises competing in Europe: treat the opportunity as a privilege, not a bonus.

Speaking from his unique vantage point as a two-time Rugby World Cup winner who has played extensively in New Zealand, France and now South Africa, Nonu highlighted the calibre of opposition that South African teams face.

"The South African teams need to realise what a privilege it is to be able to play in the competition," he said.

"Just look at the stature of the European teams that compete in it every year. These are teams loaded with some of the best rugby players in the world.

"The South African teams shouldn't just see it as a bonus to take part in the competition.

"They need to be competitive and show where they come from."

Nonu, who enjoyed multiple successful spells at Toulon in the French Top 14 and became one of the competition's oldest ever players, reserved particular praise for France's premier domestic league.

"If you look at the Top 14, it's a competition that currently has no equal in terms of competitiveness. I think it's the best rugby competition in the world," he said.

"A lot of players from different countries go to play their rugby in France. Many South Africans have carved out careers for themselves in France.

"Every match in the competition is played in packed stadiums and the supporters don't mind travelling for away games."

The veteran centre contrasted the current landscape with the golden era of Super Rugby two decades ago, when the southern hemisphere competition - then featuring South African sides - was widely regarded as the pinnacle of club rugby.

"If I look at where New Zealand rugby is at the moment, it paints a clear picture of where a competition like Super Rugby currently finds itself," he explained.

"About 20 years ago, Super Rugby was the competition to follow.

"Things have now changed drastically and it's the French who are teaching us all a lesson in how to present rugby."

Nonu's comments come against the backdrop of South Africa's four major franchises - the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions - having established themselves in the United Rugby Championship, Champions Cup and EPCR Cup.

The move north has brought regular exposure to high-quality European opposition and, in Nonu's view, an elevated platform that demands a matching mindset.

Having recently joined the Sharks in a mentorship and leadership role after his latest stint in France, the 44-year-old continues to bridge the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

His perspective carries the weight of a player who has experienced both Super Rugby's former dominance and the relentless weekly demands of the Top 14's packed stadiums and star-studded squads.

For South African teams, the message is unambiguous: the privilege of competing against Europe's best is real, but so is the responsibility to arrive prepared to compete - and to remind those opponents of the power and pride that define South African rugby.