Whole new ball game for CJ

New Leinster prop CJ van der Linde admits the European approach to the set-pieces will take some getting used.

New Leinster prop CJ van der Linde has admitted the European approach to the set-pieces will take some getting used to as he prepares for his first taste of Heineken Cup action. Van der Linde, who linked up with the Irish club at the end of South Africa's unsuccessful Tri-Nations series, has found himself on the wrong side of numerous refereeing decisions. Having featured in just a few matches, the Springbok tighhead admitted the scrumming on northern paddocks is somewhat different to the set-pieces down south. "I am not used to the way they have the scrums and the rucks so it is an adaptation you must make and get used to it," he told the Irish Independent. "It is difficult to say who is right and who is wrong in a scrum because it is eight people against eight people and it can go both ways. "Some of the calls were a bit funny so I will have to have a look at that." Van der Linde could be called up for the Boks' UK tour in November, and will be hoping to gain some form ahead of those Tests with a strong showing in the European competitions.

Advice

The 28-year-old is in the first term of a three-year deal, replacing another Free State and former Springbok prop in Ollie le Roux. While the World Cup-winning prop is full of praise for his predecessor, and admits he asked him for advice before completing his move up north, he says it is impossible for him to try and compare himself with le Roux. "I wouldn't say he had something to do with me coming here," said van der Linde. "Leinster made me an offer to come and play and I thought it was a good opportunity for me to gain a new experience and play in the northern hemisphere. "I obviously asked him about it. He said it was a very professional set-up here and I haven't seen anything else. It has been very professional and I have enjoyed being here. "It is difficult to compare yourself against another guy. "Ollie is a great player. He has played 54 Tests for South Africa and I don't know how many, maybe 200 or more provincial games, so he is one of the good guys of rugby."