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Henry Slade on Exeter's South African adventure ahead of Bulls clashWe’ve had to check beds for scorpions and snakes! Henry Slade on Exeter’s South African adventure ahead of Bulls clash in Champions Cup... with conditions VERY different to England! Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade has spoken of his side's stay in South AfricaTemperatures have touched 35°C, a stark contrast to English conditionsExeter take on Vodacom Bulls in the Champions Cup on Saturday eveningSlade said the experience is 'good for the squad' as they target another win Published: 23:34 GMT, 13 January 2023 | Updated: 23:34 GMT, 13 January 2023 Checking a hotel bed in the South African bush for scorpions and snakes and spending a day off on safari is not the usual preparation rugby players go through ahead of a big Champions Cup clash.
’ Slade admitted that he and his team-mates have had to check beds for scorpions and snakesA South African adventure is Exeter’s latest task in a season which has an end-of-an-era feel. The Chiefs are one of English rugby’s great success stories, having risen through the divisions to become Premiership and European champions. Now, though, there is a rebuilding job at hand. Homegrown products and England and Lions stars Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds are moving on at the end of the season to join Montpellier. Jack Nowell is also expected to head to the Top 14, as the Premiership’s reduced salary cap bites. ‘I’ll be here next year but there are boys who I’ve grown up playing with moving on. They’re doing it for good reasons.
It’s probably too hot for rugby at the minute! ’ The entrance of South Africa’s best domestic sides into European competition has drawn plenty of criticism. Cross-hemisphere travel adds an extra, complicated layer to preparation. Exeter flew to South Africa last Sunday, just a day after beating Northampton. It meant they have had nearly a full week to prepare for the Bulls. Being away from home has also provided Rob Baxter’s side with the opportunity to embrace new opportunities. Exeter have had nearly a full week to prepare for the Bulls and the conditions they will face There has been controversy around allowing a South African side to enter European competition‘It’s been a change from the sideways rain of England, ’ Slade said.
‘Everyone was pretty worried about that! These things can do serious harm. It wasn’t ideal. We had a good night’s sleep and everyone survived. ‘We’ve overcome the first hurdle here, I suppose. But it will be a different challenge on Saturday. The Bulls have massive guys but also some electric backs who we’re going to have to be all over defensively because they can do some serious damage. ‘It’s an exciting challenge. It’s a very different climate and we’re playing against players we’ve never met before in a place we’ve never been to. We’ve spent a lot of time together off the pitch, which has been really beneficial.
‘It’s a very different experience but a good one for the squad. We went on safari and to a traditional steak house one night. ‘We weren’t nervous being out on the cars on the safari but some of the lads, including me, were nervous about sleeping the night before. A couple of the South African guys we have told us that if you’re in a hotel in the bush, you have to check your beds for scorpions and snakes.