Lukhanyo Am signed off his short stint at Kobe Steelers with a try on a weekend of mixed emotions for the South Africans playing abroad.
European Champions Cup
In Sunday’s quarter-final, seven points from the boot of Robert du Preez and an Akker van der Merwe try were insufficient as Sale Sharks went down 41-22 to a Racing 92 outfit that included Trevor Nyakane on the bench.
Outstanding defence by Rob du Preez.#SaffasAbroad | #R92vSAL pic.twitter.com/vK1pSHDSB0
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 8, 2022
Faf de Klerk, Lood de Jager, Nick Schonert, Jono Ross and brothers Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez also featured for Sharks. De Klerk, in particular, worked tirelessly on defence and set up Manu Tuilagi’s crucial try before half time, while Dan was involved in a controversial collision with French hooker Camille Chat.
Scrumhalves shouldn’t be able to stop Camille Chat like this. Serious shunt from Faf de Klerk.#R92vSAL pic.twitter.com/50LfjfeWkr
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) May 8, 2022
Mighty Manu!!!!
#R92vSAL pic.twitter.com/EXxCdUQaXw
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 8, 2022
Shoulder to head. Yellow card, no?
#R92vSAL pic.twitter.com/464p0QfO04
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 8, 2022
There was joy for Rynhardt Elstadt, and pain for fellow Springboks Damian de Allende and Jason Jenkins, as holders Toulouse beat Johann van Graan-coached Munster in Dublin on Saturday to reach the semi-finals.
Also disappointed were Leicester Tigers skipper Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese, who lost out to four-time European champions Leinster in a 23-14 defeat at Welford Road.
Yet, the competition’s still not over for Dillyn Leyds, Raymond Rhule and Wiaan Liebenberg as La Rochelle eased past Montpellier 31-19 at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, where Handre Pollard made a rare start at inside centre for the losers.
European Challenge Cup
Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth put in a fiery shift for Toulon in Sunday’s tightly contested 19-18 win over London Irish – who started seven-Test-capped prop Marcel van der Merwe and Benhard Janse van Rensburg – to progress to the semi-finals.
This should have been red for Creevy.
#RCTLIR pic.twitter.com/P2pjMEL9cH
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 8, 2022
On Friday, Vincent Koch ran a fine line and showed good hands in a try assist as Saracens beat Gloucester 44-15 to book their place in the last four of the competition.
Props running centre lines ?@vincentkoch1 #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/bfNE28BB2e
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 7, 2022
Japan League One
Bok midfielder Am signed off his two-month stint in Japan by scoring one of 11 tries in Kobe Steelers’ 74-34 demolition of Shining Arcs on Sunday. JD Schickerling also notched a five-pointer.
Straight through ?
Lukhanyo Am scores for Kobe Steelers against Shining Arcs. #SaffasAbroad | #LeagueOne pic.twitter.com/Ek7p4lm5YS
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 8, 2022
JD Schickerling dusting the entire Shining Arcs defence ? #SaffasAbroad | #LeagueOne pic.twitter.com/rorLBOr27u
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 9, 2022
Kobus van Dyk bagged a brace in a Man of the Match performance as Canon Eagles ground Green Rockets 26-14. Jesse Kriel also dotted down and SP Marais contributed six points from the kicking tee.
Kwagga Smith crossed the whitewash for Shizuoka Blue Revs in a narrow 33-29 defeat by Toshiba Brave Lupus while, on Saturday, Gerhard van den Heever struck two conversions in Kubota Spears’ 35-14 defeat by Wild Knights. David Bulbring also featured for Spears.
Kwagga Smith with the most amazing dash & go ? #SaffasAbroad | #LeagueOne pic.twitter.com/ijS35aW0Yo
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) May 9, 2022
