As the South African teams complete their preparation for a second season in Europe, Vodacom Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen has lauded the quality of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The Vodacom Bulls finished the inaugural URC season as finalists, losing to the Stormers in the final in Cape Town, and are looking to go one step further in 2022-23, which kick-off on 16 September.

Having two South African teams progress to the final on a first attempt was a statement of intent from the Republic, following their exit from southern hemisphere’s Super Rugby.

“Compared to Super Rugby, this competition is a lot harder physically,” said Goosen told the official URC website.

“It’s not as fast as Super Rugby but the contact is different because in the URC you’re playing against big boys. In Super Rugby you can hide but there’s nowhere to hide here.

“Everyone was surprised to see two South African teams in the final so it has given South African rugby huge confidence.

“It was a great year for the South African teams. We came in as the underdogs and the guys wanted to prove a point.”

Sharks scrumhalf Cameron Wright explained why the URC could be a better option that Super Rugby in the long run for South African teams.

“The URC really brings the best out of teams. Super Rugby brings the best out of individuals. Good teams always beat great individuals,” said Wright.

“In Super Rugby there was quite a bit of margin for error because if you feel like you are mismatched defensively, there’s an opportunity for you in attack – but you have to be equally good at both in URC.

“We’ve got a lovely saying in South Africa that in order to eat an elephant you have to eat it bite size – you’ve got to eat it piece by piece. Our biggest focus going into the new season is that we will eat it piece by piece because it’s a longer season than we’re used to.”

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