Ernst van Rhyn has been a standout defender in this season’s Investec Champions Cup, and Sale will need him against Harlequins.
The utility forward tops the defensive stats with 66 tackles at an 88% success rate, despite featuring in just three matches for Sale, one ahead of Glasgow’s Matt Fargerson.
The former Stormer has established himself as a key figure in Sale’s pack, combining physicality with relentless work rate, and is expected to lead the team out against Harlequins at The Stoop on Saturday night.
Quins have been one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the competition, scoring the most points (184).
SUPERBRU: Investec Champions Cup predictor
Sale finished third in Pool 1, just one point ahead of Saracens and the Sharks, who missed out on the last 16 on points difference to Sarries.
The Manchester-based team won two and lost two of their pool fixtures to finish behind runaway pool leaders Glasgow and French giants Toulouse.
Van Rhyn started at flank in a 26-21 defeat to Glasgow and a 35-14 win over Clermont, and at lock in the 26-10 win over the Sharks. He did not feature in Sale’s record 77-7 defeat to Toulouse in round four when the club rested frontline players.
ROHAN: ‘Double’ not on Bordeaux minds
In Pool 3, Harlequins finished second behind Leinster but one place ahead of the Stormers, who they thrashed 61-10 at The Stoop when the team from Cape Town was understrength.
Sale sit seventh on the 10-team English Premiership log, with Harlequins ninth.
Photo: Bryan Keane/INPHO
The post Sale bank on Saffa hitman appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
