Bordeaux Bègles' powerhouse center Rohan Janse van Rensburg has made it clear that the team's focus is squarely on the upcoming clash against Leicester Tigers, not on the allure of consecutive Investec Champions Cup victories. Fresh off their first major win last May, Bordeaux Bègles have sailed through to the knockouts as the top seeds, yet Van Rensburg emphasizes the importance of taking it one game at a time.
“When you start getting into these playoff games you're in a position where you really want to go to the end," Van Rensburg stated. "But you can't go to the end if you don't win the weekend’s game and I think that’s the mentality for us. Because if Sunday doesn’t happen then next week won’t happen.”
"We’re not thinking about the double,”
the 31-year-old added, dispelling any speculation about the team's focus on repeating last year's glory.
Since moving to the French outfit in 2024 from Japan’s Yokohoma Canon Eagles, Van Rensburg has quickly adapted to his new environment, crediting his integration to his efforts to master the French language—a tip passed on by teammate Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
“Louis Bielle-Biarrey told me at the end of last season, when you come here as a foreigner, it’s so important for you to understand the language,” he explained. "Because ultimately, if you’re playing in a team where you can’t communicate with the person next to you in these high intense moments, how can you actually be the best team that you possibly can?"
This mindset has not only helped him settle but also kept his ambitions alive to once again don the Springbok jersey, despite his limited contact with South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus. "The quality of the players there and the staff right now, it’s unbelievable," he noted. "I don’t think any player will ever go away from trying to represent their country, especially when you can play for a South African team that has done what they’ve done in the last few years. The ambition will always be there."
This weekend, Bordeaux Bègles will be facing not just any team, but the Tigers, bolstered by Australian playmaker James O’Connor, a former teammate of Van Rensburg at Sale. Reflecting on O'Connor’s evolution, Van Rensburg praised his growth: “I played with ‘Rabs’ at Sale and even then, he was an unbelievable player,” he remarked. “It’s crazy to say at 35 years old, but he’s really grown into this confident player now.”
As the Champions Cup progresses, the tension mounts, but Van Rensburg and his team remain undeterred, focused solely on the immediate challenge ahead. This laser focus will be crucial as they face off against the Tigers in what promises to be a riveting contest.
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Bordeaux Bègles' powerhouse center Rohan Janse van Rensburg has made it clear that the team's focus is squarely on the upcoming clash against Leicester Tigers, not on the allure of consecutive Investec Champions Cup victories. Fresh off their first major win last May, Bordeaux Bègles have sailed through to the knockouts as the top seeds, yet Van Rensburg emphasizes the importance of taking it one game at a time.
“When you start getting into these playoff games you're in a position where you really want to go to the end," Van Rensburg stated. "But you can't go to the end if you don't win the weekend’s game and I think that’s the mentality for us. Because if Sunday doesn’t happen then next week won’t happen.”
"We’re not thinking about the double,”
the 31-year-old added, dispelling any speculation about the team's focus on repeating last year's glory.Since moving to the French outfit in 2024 from Japan’s Yokohoma Canon Eagles, Van Rensburg has quickly adapted to his new environment, crediting his integration to his efforts to master the French language—a tip passed on by teammate Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
“Louis Bielle-Biarrey told me at the end of last season, when you come here as a foreigner, it’s so important for you to understand the language,” he explained. "Because ultimately, if you’re playing in a team where you can’t communicate with the person next to you in these high intense moments, how can you actually be the best team that you possibly can?"
This mindset has not only helped him settle but also kept his ambitions alive to once again don the Springbok jersey, despite his limited contact with South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus. "The quality of the players there and the staff right now, it’s unbelievable," he noted. "I don’t think any player will ever go away from trying to represent their country, especially when you can play for a South African team that has done what they’ve done in the last few years. The ambition will always be there."
This weekend, Bordeaux Bègles will be facing not just any team, but the Tigers, bolstered by Australian playmaker James O’Connor, a former teammate of Van Rensburg at Sale. Reflecting on O'Connor’s evolution, Van Rensburg praised his growth: “I played with ‘Rabs’ at Sale and even then, he was an unbelievable player,” he remarked. “It’s crazy to say at 35 years old, but he’s really grown into this confident player now.”
As the Champions Cup progresses, the tension mounts, but Van Rensburg and his team remain undeterred, focused solely on the immediate challenge ahead. This laser focus will be crucial as they face off against the Tigers in what promises to be a riveting contest.