SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend's European club finals, which involved South African players.
CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL
– Toulon were crowned European champions for the third successive year, after defeating Clermont 24-18 in the final at Twickenham on Saturday. Springboks Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith and Bryan Habana featured in the champions' starting lineup, with Botha playing until the 48th minute and Smith the 58th. Habana completed the match. Of the trio, Botha is the only one to have lifted the cup with Toulon on all three occasions, while Smith and Habana played a part in the last two.
CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
– Former EP Kings duo Andries Strauss (centre) and Cornell du Preez (No 8), ex-Sharks lock Anton Bresler and ex-Cheetahs prop WP Nel were in the Edinburgh side that lost 19-13 to Gloucester. In an ill-disciplined match, the victors raced to a 19-6 lead after Bresler was yellow-carded in the 25th minute. When the Scottish club returned to their full complement, Gloucester were reduced to 13 men (through a yellow and red card), which sparked an Edinburgh revival. But the Premiership side held on despite finishing the game a man down.
NEWS
– Loose forward CJ Stander made history when he became the first overseas player to be named Munster's Player of the Year at their annual awards ceremony on Thursday. The accolade came after the former Bulls representative scored eight tries in 22 appearances during the 2014-2015 season, while picking up five Man of the Match awards along the way.
VIDEO: Highlights of Toulon vs Clermont
COLUMN: Bakkies has added to his legend
REPORT: Third Euro title for Bakkies
Photo: Adrian DennisAFP Photo
