Here’s a wrap of all the action involving South African players in England and France, including a look at how some Springbok hopefuls fared.
Premiership
– Juarno ‘Trokkie’ Augustus was among the try-scorers as Northampton Saints picked up their first victory of the season with a stylish 38-22 win over London Irish. Springbok wing Courtnall Skosan played off the bench for Northampton, while centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg started for London Irish.
– Hooker Akker van der Merwe, flyhalf Robert du Preez and flank Jono Ross all scored points to help 14-man Sale Sharks beat Bath 37-20. Sale lost tighthead prop Nick Schonert to a red card for a dangerous tackle early in the first half. Van der Merwe and Ross scored a try each, while Du Preez contributed 17 points with his boot. Jaco Coetzee and debutant flank Wesley White, son of Vodacom Bulls coach Jake, started for Bath.
– Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl picked up a try-assist as Saracens came from a 12-point half-time deficit to beat Harlequins 30-27. Tyrone Green started at fullback for Harlequins and had an outstanding match, making a total of 121 metres, 13 carries, beating four defenders and assisting one of three tries. Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw came off the bench for Harlequins in the 19th minute.
– Defending champions Leicester Tigers beat Newcastle Falcons 36-21 for their first win of the season. Captain Hanro Liebenberg started at No 8 for Leicester and made seven tackles, while winning two turnovers and five lineouts.
– Bristol Bears built on a five-point half-time lead to claim a 23-8 win over Wasps in Coventry. Burger Odendaal started at inside centre for Wasps and had a solid outing, making 40m and two clean breaks from six carries. Nizaam Carr played 20 minutes off the bench for Wasps.
– Exeter Chiefs held off a valiant Worcester Warriors to record a 36-21 bonus-point victory and move second in the Premiership. Flank Jannes Kirsten and lock Ruben van Heerden played for Exeter. Worcester were captained by Francois Venter, while starting scrumhalf Gareth Simpson scored a try for the Warriors.
Top 14
– Bordeaux Begles shrugged off an injury to star wing Madosh Tambwe as they claimed a 33-12 bonus-point win over Castres.
– Stade Francais came from behind to beat Bayonne 26-16. Lock JJ van der Mescht started for Stade, who had scrumhalf James Hall on the bench.
– A Finn Russell kicking masterclass steered Racing 92 to a 32-19 win over Lyon. Arno Botha was on the bench for Lyon.
– La Rochelle continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 43-8 bonus-point victory over Perpignan. Dillyn Leyds started at fullback for La Rochelle.
– Springbok lock Nico Janse van Rensburg scored the winning try in a 31-26 away victory for Montpellier against Brive. Nico Lee started at outside centre for Brive, who had Marcel van der Merwe on the bench.
– Pau did all the damage in the first half to hand 14-man Toulouse a first defeat of the season with a 26-16 home victory. Rynhardt Elstadt came off the bench for Toulouse, who had lock Rory Arnold sent off in the second half.
– Toulon held on against a late Clermont comeback to win 30-29, with injured Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe watching from the stands. Flank Cornell du Preez started for Toulon.
Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
