The South Africans of Montpellier, back in favor after the difficult “Langueboks” years

Like Janse Van Rensburg and Paul Willemse, the South Africans of MHR are team executives. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

The “sud-af’” is filmed at MHR. But those who remain are executives of the workforce. They will be of capital importance before playing the play-off match on Sunday June 16.

The days of the Langueboks are over. Aside from a few hackneyed jokes on social networks, no one mocks the South African cohort in Montpellier anymore.

Yet, at the height of this period, between 2016 and 2019, around ten South Af’ made up the Hérault squad, most of them 2007 world champions who arrived in Jake White's luggage. A massive landing, which contributed to giving an ugly image. A mercenary club, a stereotypical game… And too bad if this MHR was in the Top 14, like a 2017-2018 season which took the club to the second (lost) final in its history.

That evening, against Castres, Montpellier and its president Mohed Altrad perhaps reached the limits of this South African influx. With in particular players who, culturally, have not taken the measure of a Top 14 final and the quest for a Brennus. The failure of (costly) coming from Johan Goosen and Handré Pollard finally put an end to this period.

Today, there are only three left, Cobus Reinach (32 selections for the Springboks), Nicolaas Janse Van Rensburg (one), Jan Serftontein (35) to fill the squad Hérault, four including the most French of them, Paul Willemse, international tricolor.

Center Jan Serfontein (arrived in 2017) and third line Janse Van Rensburg (2016) are now among the oldest players at the club.

Leaders in their field

"They speak French like you and me, so it’s a model of integration,emphasizes manager Patrice Collazo. Then, if they are still at the club, there may also be a reason, their performance, their attachment to the club and their investment."

An investment that can be seen every day in training, for the Hérault technician. "Janse is a very high-level key leader, one of the best in the Top 14, one of the best I have come across. He has an impressive performance on the field. Afterwards, Paul is more of a combat leader, someone who moves a team forward. Jan Serfontein, you have seen like me, for two or three matches, when he is in this configuration, they are high level players. This is what is expected of them. And then Cobus, who is still a double world champion." An experience which makes them important elements of the locker room but also relays on the field. Far from the individualist mercenaries that we have long wanted to portray. "They are hyper integrated, in exchange, in sharing and they have an important role in the ;team, too, because they are in key positions", assures Collazo.

"Antoine (Editor's note, Battut in charge of the sidelines) relies a lot on Janse. There is a frequent exchange between Vincent (Etechto, in charge of the back lines) and Cobus too, continues Collazo. Frankly, before it might have seemed cliché, but today, they are players, I never hear them speak English or Afrikaner." The Languebok page has turned without title, Montpellier is now counting on its South Afs to ensure its maintenance.

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