The South Africa factor Glasgow Warriors face in URC tests

Franco Smith’s men produced a herculean display to defy the odds in winning the URC title against the Bulls in June.

It was the greatest achievement in the Warriors’ history and Glasgow travelled to South Africa again determined to lay down a marker in their title defence against fearsome opposition. 

The double-header against the Sharks and the Stormers represent a serious test of Glasgow’s credentials and they proceed a month-long break for international fixtures with Warriors defence coach Peter Murchie relishing the challenge ahead. 

“The biggest motivation is to go over there and pick up points,” Murchie said.

Glasgow will return to South Africa for the first time since winning the URC title (Image: Getty)

“They are good trips and opportunities to spend lots of time with each other as a group.

"They are big challenges, especially at this time of year because these teams have been on tour and perhaps not picked up as many points as they would have wanted. 

"We will face two teams that are really fired up to get their season going but it’s an exciting challenge. You have a point to prove in every game and that’s the nature of being defending champions. Everyone wants to have a go at you and it’s always a test. That’s the beauty of it!”

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On facing the South African double-header just before the break in the URC season, Murchie added: “You probably don’t want to go there when it’s 35 degrees heat - which we won’t be. It’s swings and roundabouts as they will probably have their Springboks players available to them. Ultimately, you go when you go and we have no say on it. The best thing to do is to roll your sleeves up and get on with it. 

“It’s a big trip but we are more used to it now than before. For the first season, it was a bigger thing than it is now and it’s probably the same both ways.

"Not many teams picked up wins in South Africa and not many South African teams picked up wins here. That’s much less the case now because you get more used to it.”

The Sharks and Stormers occupy two of the bottom three places currently in the URC table but that provides a false perception over their strength.

Both sides will welcome back their South African international contingent to face Glasgow with Murchie expecting the likes of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth to return for the Sharks on Saturday. 

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth could be available for the Sharks this weekend (Image: SNS) When asked if he expected the Sharks’ South African stars to return, Murchie replied: “Yeah probably, but they won’t give too much away during the week.

"It’s likely that some will be back as they’ve been on a stretch on their mini-tour so they’ve probably picked up bumps and bruises. I expect some, if not all, of them to come back into their squad or starting line-up. I’m not privy to their structures or rest periods, so there is an element of not knowing.

“They’ve got a quality squad. They’ve got a large number of not just Springboks, but starting, front-line Springboks.

"They’ve just won the Currie Cup and they went on a run last season after a difficult period, which culminated in beating some good teams in the Challenge Cup. They’ve got quality and players to put in a performance, so it will be a big challenge. 

“Firstly, it’s about concentrating on ourselves more than their team-sheet. It’s about picking up on general patterns of play regardless of which individual pulls on the jersey. It’s going to be similar structures and patterns of play, so we need to pull general themes. Then we can have one or two bits of information on individuals if they are going to play and drip feed that in later in the week.” 

Glasgow warmed up for their South Africa trip with a comfortable 33-3 win over Zebre at Scotstoun on Friday night.

It wasn’t a classic but the Warriors stopped their opposition from crossing the try-line to end the weekend in second place in the URC table but Murchie isn’t paying much attention to the standings so early in the season. 

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“Ask me again in two weeks because I view it as a block of six games,” Murchie said when quizzed on Glasgow’s start. “We would have loved to pick up the win in the first game because you always want a bit more.

"There’s challenges to come but if we can pick up results in South Africa then we will be in a good place. You don’t win the league or pick up your place in October. 

Glasgow assistant coach Pete Murchie spoke to the media on Monday (Image: SNS)

“You don’t want to put yourself in a really difficult position but it’s ultimately about building.

"Sometimes that can be a harsh lesson or two but it’s about having a consistent level of performance and picking up wins. You need to put yourself in a position by May or June when you can knock over these big games."