SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend’s English Premiership and Celtic Pro12 matches, involving South African players.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP
– Ex-Stormers scrumhalf Nic Groom was part of the Northampton Saints side that suffered an agonising last-minute 22-16 defeat to the Newcastle Falcons at Franklin's Gardens.
– The Exeter Chiefs ran in eight tries in their 57-22 demolition of the Worcester Warriors. Centres Dean Hammond and Wynand Olivier, flank Dewald Potgieter and prop Nic Schonert all started for the Warriors, with former Bulls duo Olivier and Potgieter scoring a try apiece.
– Pat Cilliers and his Leicester Tigers teammates ground out a 21-16 win over Bristol on Friday.
– Ashley Johnson was the star of the show for Wasps, who thumped the Sale Sharks 34-24. Johnson earned a rare start at flank and crossed for two first-half tries. Brian Mujati started at tighthead for Sale.
– Saracens clinched a nail-biting 24-20 victory over plucky Gloucester at Allianz Park. Captain Brad Barritt, Schalk Burger, Michael Rhodes, Petrus du Plessis and Schalk Brits earned starting berths for Sarries, with Barritt grabbing the first try.
– Harlequins maintained their unbeaten run at home thanks to replacement flyhalf Tim Swiel, who kicked a last-gasp penalty to hand them a dramatic 21-20 win over Bath. Swiel came off the bench and added 11 points via a conversion and three penalties. Hooker Michael van Vuuren was on duty for Bath.
CELTIC PRO12
– Lock Quinn Roux, flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff and wing Danie Poolman were in the Connacht side that defeated the Cardiff Blues 18-7 in Galway. Lock George Earle started for the Blues.
– The Newport Gwent Dragons, with fullback Carl Meyer, wing Pat Howard, scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius and prop Brok Harris in their ranks, beat Edinburgh 27-19 at Rodney Parade. Meyer had a good game and was rewarded with a try for the winners.
– Jaco Taute, Thomas du Toit and Jean Kleyn did service for Munster in their 46-3 rout of Treviso at Thomond Park. Lock Michael van Vuuren played for Treviso, who conceded seven tries, but failed to score any in return.
– Scarlets moved into the top four in the standings with a 38-29 bonus-point win over log-leaders Leinster. Ex-Bulls pair David Bulbring (lock) and Werner Kruger (prop) represented Scarlets, with the latter scoring one of their five tries. Hooker Richardt Strauss and fullback Zane Kirchner were on duty for Leinster, with Strauss burrowing over the line for one of their tries.
– Ospreys secured their first-ever win at Scotstoun Stadium when they thumped the Glasgow Warriors 22-5. No 8 Josh Strauss featured for the hosting Warriors.
Photo: Stephen White/Getty Images
