Stuart Hogg: Bristol Bears' Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Virimi Vakatawa will worry Gallagher Premiership Rugby defences
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 05/11/2023 at 16:44 GMT
Bristol Bears' new-look centre partnership of Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Virimi Vakatawa will leave opposition defenders saying "your man" this season, according to Stuart Hogg. The TNT Sports pundit praised the "triple threat" of the former London Irish man and the "box office" France star, saying they will create space for each other this season and ask big questions of defences.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg of Bristol Bears runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears at Sandy Park on November 05, 2023 in Exeter, Engla
Image credit: Getty Images
Stuart Hogg believes defenders will be worried by the fearsome Bristol Bears centre partnership of “triple threat” Benhard Janse van Rensburg and “box office” Virimi Vakatawa.
Van Resburg lined up at inside centre for Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby trip to Exeter Chiefs, with Vakatawa outside him.
France star Vakatawa was forced into an early retirement last year due to a heart condition, but was cleared to return by an expert panel of cardiologists before becoming Bristol’s blockbuster summer signing.
However, Hogg believes former London Irish player Van Rensburg, another summer arrival, deserves his share of the attention when discussing the threat of the Bears.
“You often talk about Vakatawa being the star player in that backline, but this guy [Van Rensburg] is tremendous and has been for a number of years,” Hogg said on TNT Sports’ live coverage.
“He’s a player who is going to get you over the gain line but at the same time he’s a triple threat – he can catch, pass and he can kick.
“With the double option they’ve got with Vakatawa and Van Rensburg…these two guys playing together will create space for each other.
“Defensively, you’re coming up against that and you’re going – ‘Your man!’”
Former Racing 92 star Vakatawa continues to excite Hogg, who is delighted to see another world-class talent join the English top flight.
“I said in week one when he was joining the Gallagher Premiership – he is box office,” Hogg said.
“He’s been out of the game for about a year with heart problems but to see him playing in England is absolutely tremendous for everybody, and I’m hugely excited to see him play again today.”
Exeter Chiefs host Bristol at Sandy Park on Sunday, October 5 live on TNT Sports.
Both sides go into the game on the back of two wins from their opening three Premiership matches.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article