Former Bok Koch sad that he will not play for SA again
Vincent Koch has admitted that he gave up his Springbok ambitions to help his English club Saracens’ try and have as much success as they had last season.
When Koch plays for Saracens against Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup Final at Murrayfield on Saturday, he cannot be picked by South Africa, who will only select players with at least 30 caps if they are playing overseas.
In an interview with the London Daily Telegraph, Koch won the last of his nine Bok caps against Italy in November said: “I have made the decision to play here. I am not going to be able to play for the Springboks again while I am overseas, which is sad.
“As a child you dream of playing for your country and it was a real honour every time I was selected, but I have a new career now with Sarries.
“It was my decision and I believe I made the right one. South Africa would like to keep their players at home, but I made the decision to extend my career and become a better player.
“To win the double in my first season here would be incredible.
“The club set very high standards and I have to perform to earn the respect of the guys and not let them down. The coaches push you in areas where they believe you can improve.
“In the semifinal, I was really excited and winning was fantastic, so I can only imagine what it is going to be like if we can win the final on Saturday.
“The level of European Cup rugby is close to Test rugby. Super Rugby is much looser, while the northern hemisphere game is slower but much more physical, with guys running really hard in straight lines. It does ask more of you physically and mentally, especially in the scrums.
“You cannot pick and choose when to go hard – you have to get it right every time. Clermont have a strong scrum, which is important to their game. You have to man up against your opposite number and it will be a massive competition.
“I started on the loose-head and have been only been on the tight-head side of the scrum for three years and I am still learning from all the other guys at the club.”