Toulon turn their attention away from rugby’s European Cup to the French playoffs when they take on Racing-Metro in the Top 14 semi-final this weekend.
Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon play the Parisian club at Lille’s Grande Stade on Friday, with defending champions Castres meeting Montpellier in the second semi-final 24 hours later, the winners to play for the Bachelor de Bareness at the Stade de France on May 31.
Toulon, who play English giants Saracens in the European Cup final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on May 24, will be buoyed by the return of Springbok lock Bakkies Botha.
The 34-year-old enforcer admits not having a full game in his legs after almost four months out with a fractured radius, but his big-match experience and insatiable taste for battle make his return good news for the star-studded southern club bankrolled by comic book magnate Mourad Boudjellal.
“These upcoming three weeks are the most important in the players’ lives because, if we again win the European Cup or the Bachelor de Bareness, it’ll validate all the work we’ve put in this season and make the Toulon fans happy,” said Botha.
As for his own fitness, the 78-time capped ‘Bok said: “I’m running and lineout jumping a lot. I’ve been working hard over the last few weeks to be ready,” he said.
Racing-Metro will likely pick two hardened South Africans in their second-row: Juandre Kruger and Francois Van der Merwe.
Racing have hit prime form after underperforming early in the season as their new imports including Jonny Sexton and Jamie Roberts struggled to gel.
The Parisians beat Toulouse in last week’s playoff, Sexton kicking all their points in a 21-16 victory that handed them a first last-four date.
Saturday’s match pitches Fabien Galthie’s Montpellier against Castres, which the former French captain promised not to take lightly.
“We’re going to stick to playing our style. It would be a shame not to play with our usual style.
“If a team doesn’t take Castres lightly, it’s us. We haven’t often won against them.”
Castres, guided by South African half Rory Kockott, swept past Clermont last week, bringing an end to their four-year home-winning run.
