Vincent Koch reflects on historic Challenge Cup triumph - ‘The most special for me’

Vincent Koch has said EPCR Challenge Cup victory with Hollywoodbets Sharks is the “most special” trophy he has won in his career, despite being a two-time World Cup winner.

Sharks overcame Gallagher Premiership side Gloucester relatively comfortably at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday, winning 36-22 to become the first South African Challenge Cup champions.

Koch joined Sharks in his native homeland of South Africa at the start of the 2023/24 season after leaving French side Stade Francais, and was named the player of the match in the victory over Gloucester.

The 34-year-old has won an abundance of trophies in a glittering career, but he was adamant that the Challenge Cup meant the most to him.

“This [trophy] is probably the most special for me,” he told TNT Sports after the game. 

“Being in South Africa and playing for a South African team, haven’t won any trophies in South Africa so being with the Sharks, first year back is unbelievable.”

Koch won back-to-back World Cup titles for South Africa in 2019 and 2023.

He represented Saracens between 2016 and 2022 and in that time claimed two successive Premiership titles and two Champions Cup medals.

Sharks’ Challenge Cup victory on Friday made history as they became the first team from South Africa to seal European glory, which Koch believes was important for the country.

“It’s special, it’s Europe,” Koch said. “You play against the top teams all over Europe. 

“It’s a massive competition and winning it tonight is just so special for South Africa, it’s something we pride ourselves on that the main sport is, of course, rugby and stuff like this just makes it better.”

Sharks took a strong 16-3 lead into the half-time break and overpowered Gloucester in the second half to claim the trophy in style.

“The thing is, we knew it was going to be a forward battle,” Koch added on TNT Sports. 

“We knew they had a good scrum and a good line out. We tried to be at our best and the boys showed it today.”

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