Bok best mates Koch, Nyakane lock horns in key Top 14 derby

The Parisian derby on Sunday could be decisive as Stade Francais and Racing 92 battle to reach the French Top 14 playoffs but it will be personally significant for two Rugby World Cup winning Springboks.

Stade Francais' Vincent Koch and Racing's Trevor Nyakane were two of a trio of tighthead props competing for playing time as South Africa clinched the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan four years ago.

Koch said he had a special bond with Nyakane.

"I love him as a person, as a rugby player but our friendship is way stronger than I've had with anyone else in my position," Koch told AFP.

"If he plays I back him 100%, I'll prepare and do whatever I need to for him to have the best game of his life and he does the same thing for me.

"It will be nice to see him and I can guarantee he'll crack up a few jokes on the field," Koch added.

READ | Koch on Sharks move: 'Mates from the Springboks made my decision much easier'

Koch, who turned 33 last week, headed to the French capital in October after his English side Wasps went into administration.

His Rugby Championship commitments meant he never played for the Coventry-based club after arriving in the off-season from Saracens, where he spent six seasons.

"I joined them after international duty and in the two weeks I was at Wasps, everything went sideways," Koch said.

"I was worrying about where my next pay cheque would come from.

"Not just the pay cheque but I really enjoy playing rugby and I was thinking 'When will my next game be? When will I be on the pitch again?'.

"Providing for my family was the most worrying thing.

"It was a stressful time but everything worked out," he added.

'Unbelievable Six Nations'

This year's World Cup starts on 8 September with hosts France and newly crowned Six Nations