7 October 2026
All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu has challenged South Africa’s Investec Champions Cup franchises to step up and enforce their presence against Europe’s elite.
The dual World Cup-winning centre warned South African teams against treating rugby's premier club competition as a mere ceremonial outing. Nonu insisted that local sides must leverage their trademark physicality to truly rattle the northern hemisphere powerhouse clubs.
“The South African teams need to realise what a privilege it is to be able to play in the competition,” Nonu 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.”
Nonu highlighted the relentless intensity of France’s Top 14 circuit as the current gold standard of world rugby. He noted that the tournament now commands the global prestige once held by the old southern hemisphere battlegrounds.
“If you look at the Top 14, it’s a competition that currently has no equal in terms of competitiveness,” Nonu explained. “I think it’s the best rugby competition in the world. 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.”
The former midfielder noted the stark contrast between the packed, high-stakes European stadiums and the declining pulling power of a reconfigured Super Rugby tournament. He urged South Africa's regional heavyweights to stop treating the competition as a secondary objective.
“The South African teams shouldn’t just see it as a bonus to take part in the competition,” Nonu added. “They need to be competitive and show [the European clubs] where they come from.”
Reflecting on the shifting global rugby landscape, Nonu pointed out how much has changed since South Africa exited its previous hunting grounds.
“Every match in the competition is played in packed stadiums, and the supporters don’t mind travelling for away games,” Nonu concluded. “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. About 20 years ago, Super Rugby [with the South African teams involved] was the competition to follow.”