Duane Vermeulen and Lappies Labuschagne played starring roles in the Kobuta Spears’ win over Sanix Blues, while other Saffas made telling contributions across round four of the Japanese Top League.

– Lock Jason Jenkins ran in one of eight tries as Toyota Verblitz hammered Honda Heat 58-29. He teamed up with Carl Wagner in the second row, while Willie le Roux started at fullback. Centre Clinton Swart was on the bench and joined his compatriots on the field in the 50th minute. Lock RG Snyman and No 8 Paul Schoeman were on duty for Honda.

– The Kubota Spears were too good for the Munakata Sanix Blues and romped to an easy 34-0 away win. Locks David Bulbring and Ruan Botha and loose forwards Lappies Labuschagne and Duane Vermeulen were in the Kubota’s run-on XV, with Labuschagne and Vermeulen both powering over the line to score.

– The NTT Red Hurricanes, with tighthead prop Jacques Vermeulen in their ranks, slumped to a humiliating 97-0 defeat by the Kobe Kobelco Steelers. The hosts picked apart the Hurricanes’ defense and scored a whopping 15 tries as a result.

– Malcolm Marx and Sylvian Mahuza were part of the NTT Communications Shining Arcs team that outlasted the Ricoh Black Rams to clinch a 33-17 away win. Mahuza danced over the tryline in the second half.

– Yahama Jubilo thrashed the Red Dolphins 48-19. Fullback Gerrie Labuschagne, who came on as a substitute, scored one of Yamaha’s eight tries to complete the rout.

– The Canon Eagles were unable to capitalise on a man-over advantage for the best part of the game after the Panasonic Wild Knights conceded a red card in the third minute. In fact, it was the 14-man Wild Knights who ran out comfortable 51-17 victors over Allister Coetzee’s Eagles. Bok centre Damian de Allende started and scored for the winning side. Lock Rynier Bernardo, No 8 Kobus van Dyk, centre Jesse Kriel and fullback SP Marais turned out for the Canon Eagles.

Photo: Kubota Spears/K. Fukushima