Saffas Abroad: Etzebeth’s return lifts Toulon

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Eben Etzebeth made his return to action after a three-month break and helped Toulon claim a crucial victory in the French Top 14 this past weekend.

Premiership:

– Jasper Wiese and Juarno Augustus faced off as Leicester Tigers hosted Northampton Saints in a derby on Friday night. It was Wiese’s Leicester who came out on top, claiming a 35-20 victory.

The former Cheetahs player played the full 80 minutes and made 20 metres from 12 carries, completed all 19 of his tackle attempts, won a turnover and beat three defenders. Augustus, meanwhile, made 31m from 10 carries, completed all eight his tackles and beat four defenders.

Also in action was Leicester captain Hanro Liebenberg, who made 57m, one linebreak and won six lineouts. Courtnall Skosan started on the left wing for Northampton and scored his 11th try in 12 games.

– Faf de Klerk shone on his first start since returning from injury, helping Sale Sharks put Worcester Warriors to the sword with a convincing 36-12 win.

The Springbok scrumhalf played 50 minutes and picked up a try assist, while also making 26 passes and three tackle attempts.

Captain Jono Ross, No 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, locks JP du Preez and Cobus Wiese, tighthead prop Coenie Oosthuizen and centre Robert du Preez all started for Sale. Jean-Luc made 15 tackles, 10 carries and two offloads, while Wiese made 12 tackles and five carries. Rohan Janse van Rensburg scored a try off the bench.

Worcester had scrumhalf Gareth Simpson in their starting lineup.

– Exeter Chiefs ended a three-game losing streak in style with a 24-15 win over Gloucester.

Jannes Kirsten started at lock for Exeter and made 18 carries, six tackles and one offload. Don Armand was at flank for Exeter and made 48m, beating three defenders.

Gloucester had Ruan Ackermann at No 8 and the former Lions player made 18 tackles, seven carries, five passes and won two lineouts.

– Saracens condemned Harlequins to a third straight loss by winning 19-10 in their Sunday afternoon clash.

Springboks Vincent Koch and Ivan van Zyl once again started for Saracens. Koch completed all 15 of his tackle attempts, while Van Zyl made 47 passes and seven carries.

Tyrone Green, Andre Esterhuizen and Wilco Louw all started for Harlequins. Green made 11 carries, 62m and beat four defenders, while Esterhuizen made 16 carries, 45m and 10 tackles. Louw was substituted in the 27th minute.

– Wasps continued their excellent start to the year by beating Bath 41-24 in their fourth straight win.

Jaco Coetzee started for Bath and made 10 tackles, 13m and one clean break.

ALSO READ: Toulon confirm Eben exit, lock linked with Sharks

Top 14:

– Eben Etzebeth returned from a three-month enforced break to help Toulon claim a crucial 21-18 victory over first-placed Bordeaux in a tense match, where both teams lost a player each to a red card.

Etzebeth, who will leave Toulon at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to the Sharks, played 80 minutes and made 10m, eight tackles and won two lineouts.

Cheslin Kolbe also played the full match for Toulon at fullback and made 38m from seven carries.

Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba started for Bordeaux and played 54 minutes, making 11 tackles and nine carries.

The win lifted Toulon off the bottom of the table into 13th place and ended a three-match winless run.

 

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– Springbok tighthead prop Trevor Nyakane started for Racing 92 as they won their match against Pau 35-29.

Nyakane played 55 minutes and completed all three his tackle attempts.

It was Racing’s fourth win in a row and they closed the gap on second-placed Montpellier to just six points.

– Stade Francais continued their topsy-turvy season by bouncing back from last weekend’s loss to beat Toulouse 29-28 away from home.

Former Sharks lock JJ van der Mescht started for Stade.

Photo: Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images

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Dylan Jack