Saffas Abroad: Willie shines as Bok mates team up

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Springbok fullback Willie le Roux scores an impressive try in this wrap of all the action involving South African players in Japan, England and France. 

Japan League One

Lukhanyo Am coasted across the line on Sunday after intercepting a no-look pass from Jesse Kriel in Kobe Steel’s 42-33 win over Canon Eagles. But Kriel showed strength and speed to get in the endzone for the Eagles, much to the delight of teammate SP Marais.

Gerhard van den Heever, playing alongside David Bulbring and Ruan Botha, dotted down for Kubota Spears in a 40-13 victory over Shining Arcs.

On Saturday, Le Roux chipped in with a try and an assist in Toyota Verblitz’s 64-17 thrashing of Black Rams. Teammate Lionel Cronje contributed 10 points from in front of the sticks.

Premiership

On Sunday, Francois Hougaard – playing at right wing – scored either side of half time in Wasps’ high-scoring 42-42 draw with London Irish.

Jasper Wiese barged over in Leicester Tigers’ 56-26 win over Bristol Bears on Saturday, with Hanro Liebenberg also featuring for Tigers.

Gloucester flank Ruan Ackermann celebrated a 64-0 demolition of Bath, as did Vincent Koch after Saracens’ 38-16 victory at Worcester Warriors.

Andre Esterhuizen starred with a try and an assist in a losing effort for Harlequins in Friday’s 32-21 thriller against Juarno Augustus and Northampton Saints. Quins skipper Stephan Lewies and Wilco Louw also put in big shifts for the English champions.

Akker van der Merwe scored a brace for the Faf de Klerk-led Sale Sharks in a 35-27 victory over Newcastle Falcons. Robert du Preez kicked 10 points, but Rohan Janse van Rensburg copped a yellow card for Sale.

Top 14

Eben Etzebeth fronted up for Toulon in Sunday’s 29-16 victory over Bordeaux while, on Saturday, Handre Pollard contributed seven points from the kicking tee in Montpellier’s 43-20 defeat at Lyon.

Jaco van Tonder bagged a brace in Clermont’s hard-fought 29-26 win over Stade Francais as Trevor Nyakane scored for Racing 92 in a 41-21 triumph at Section Paloise.

But things didn’t go as well for ex-Bok Shaun Sowerby, now coach of Biarritz, after his side’s league exit was confirmed following a 48-13 defeat by Castres.

Rynhardt Elstadt featured in Toulouse’s 23-16 home victory over La Rochelle, with Dillyn Leyds, Raymond Rhule and Wiaan Liebenberg starting for the visitors.

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Devin Hermanus