Challenge Cup final: Another big step forward for coach Johann van Graan

While South African rugby fans won’t be too bothered about who wins Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup final between Bath and Lyon in Cardiff, there will certainly be some interest in how Bath go under former Springbok and Bulls assistant coach Johann van Graan.

The 45-year-old is on the brink of securing European rugby glory for the first time in more than two decades for the club while he is also in the midst of a good run by the club which has already brought success this season.

Bath won the Premiership Rugby Cup a few months ago, by beating Exeter 48-14, for their first domestic rugby title since 1996, and Van Graan’s team also have a chance of winning the English Premiership title, having secured top spot on the points table with three games to play – the first time they have finished top in the regular season since 2003/4.

And all this after the team finished bottom of the points table in the 2022/23 season. The South African coach took over the head coaching job the following season and he’s continued to lead the team to great heights.

Bulls foundation

There is even talk in some quarters of Van Graan being in the mix to take over the Springbok head coaching job from Rassie Erasmus after the 2027 World Cup. That’s how highly-rated the former Bulls forwards coach is in Europe and in many people’s minds’, locally, too.

Before joining Bath, Van Graan was head coach at Munster in Ireland between 2017 and 2022, taking over from Erasmus, who left to fix the Springboks after a disappointing period between 2016 and 2017 under Allister Coetzee.

Van Graan’s coaching career began at the Bulls in 2004 as a young man under 25 years old. He featured in successful coaching teams headed by Heyneke Meyer and Frans Ludeke. He later joined Meyer’s Bok staff between 2012 and 2015.

‘Enjoy it’

But on Friday it’s all about continuing his building of Bath.

“Finals are awesome,” Van Graan said this week.

“I find quarterfinals and semifinals a bit more intense in the fact that you are so close and you’re yet so far, whereas once you’re in the final, it’s a once off, winner takes all.

“You’ve got to enjoy finals week. At the club, we played in the Prem Cup final in the middle of March on a Sunday afternoon and last season we played in the Premiership final on a Saturday afternoon against Northampton at Twickenham.

“So, this is the first European final for the club in many years and coming up against a very good Lyon side who won this competition a few years ago.”

Van Graan won’t be the only South African in Bath colours on Friday night, prop Thomas du Toit and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder will also be hoping to win the title.

On the side of Lyon, AB Zondagh and Coenie Basson are assistant coaches, while former Bulls No 8 Arno Botha will be in action.

Who’s going to take home the trophy? Kick-off on Friday night is at 9pm.