Springbok’s class act in La Rochelle victory parade caught on film
Having a Heineken Champions Cup winner’s medal must be pretty special, but having two is just greedy. So that is why La Rochelle and South Africa winger Dillyn Leyds decided to give his away this week.
The 10-cap Springbok was caught on film giving his Champions Cup medal to a fan during his side’s victory parade through the city after victory on Saturday against Leinster in Dublin.
That made it two in a row for La Rochelle, who also beat Leinster last year, and Leyds clearly thought his house was going to get cluttered with all his medals.
This was the moment:
If you thought you couldn’t love Dillyn Leyds anymore, he gives his Champions Cup Medal to a young fan ❤️❤️❤️❤️
#SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/jCoM7FDLbP
— Rugby Bits (@RugbyBits) May 24, 2023
The victory parade itself was quite sensational, as it was the year before, as the people of La Rochelle flocked to the port to celebrate. Take a look:
21 mai 2023, Vieux-Port de La Rochelle.
Du Jaune et du Noir. Près de 50 000 passionnés. Totalement indescriptible, indéfinissable. Bref, tout simplement unique…
⭐️⭐️ Vous aussi, vous voyez double depuis samedi ?#LEIvSR | #ChampionsCup | #FievreSR pic.twitter.com/Lp2QE1J3bJ
— Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) May 22, 2023
After all their festivities this week, it is hard to know what state La Rochelle will turn up in on Sunday when they host Stade Francais at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in the final round of the regular Top 14 season. While a win could potentially see them overtake league leaders Toulouse, they can finish no lower than second in the league, which is probably a relief for Ronan O’Gara and his side.
