Jacques Nienaber insists Leinster won’t be pushovers in Cape Town, despite leaving several international stars at home for their Vodacom URC season opener against the Stormers.
The former Springbok coach, now senior coach at Leinster, confirmed that most of the Irish province’s internationals have been rested after a long year of Test rugby. But he stressed that the defending champions remain hungry for success.
“It is important for us, as a team and players, to understand that we are not entitled to any trophies. It is something we must work hard for,” Nienaber told the media in Cape Town.
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Leinster ended a four-year trophy drought by hammering the Vodacom Bulls in last season’s URC final, but Nienaber made it clear there will be no complacency.
“Because we are determined, we are not entitled to trophies. It is something we must work hard for.”
The Irish giants face the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Friday before travelling to Pretoria to tackle the Bulls, with Nienaber relishing the challenge.
“We have a fairly exciting start with two games in South Africa. Our first four games this season are against teams that featured in the playoffs last season. I am very excited to see where we are at this stage of the season.”
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Nienaber added that pre-season preparations gave Leinster’s next generation a chance to shine alongside their most experienced men.
“There was a player who worked with us after he had just finished school. There is another player with more than 200 caps for Leinster. You have these young players who are excited to be there, like sponges, and the older players who were educating them on how things work at Leinster.”
While he admitted the squad is far from full strength, Nienaber said the team that runs out in Cape Town is full of promise.
“We don’t have the privilege to select our best side, but this is the best of the available players and an exciting team.”
Play hard
Train harder
Just 3 more days until the squad face Stormers in Cape Town – KO 6pm (IST).#NeverLessThanEverything #STOvLEI pic.twitter.com/3LMIw3eDCG
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 23, 2025
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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