SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend's English Premiership, Celtic Pro12 and French Top 14 matches, which involved South African players.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP (final)
– Saracens, led by former Sharks lock Alistair Hargreaves, were crowned English Premiership champions after defeating Bath 28-16 at Twickenham. Inside centre Brad Barritt and tighthead prop Petrus du Plessis started alongside Hargreaves for Sarries, while former Boks Schalk Brits and Neil de Kock were used from the 54th and 56th minutes respectively. Bok flank Francois Louw starred for Bath, albeit in a losing cause.
FRENCH TOP 14 (qualifier play-offs)
– Stade Français progressed to the Top 14 semi-finals following a 38-15 victory over city rivals Racing Métro. Bok flyhalf Morné Steyn pulled the strings for the hosts, ending with a personal tally of 28 points (eight penalties and two conversions). Prop Heinke van der Merwe also starred for the victors in the scrums, while Jono Ross and Meyer Bosman completed the match 23. No 8 Antonie Claassen and flank Bernard le Roux earned starting berths for Racing, while lock Francois van der Merwe and prop Brian Mujati played from the 62nd minute.
CELTIC PRO12 (final)
– The Glasgow Warriors, with wing DTH van der Merwe, No 8 Josh Strauss and prop Rossouw de Klerk in their ranks, beat Munster 31-13 to clinch their maiden title. Van der Merwe's rich try-scoring form continued, with the speedster going over for one of four five-pointers in the final. Former Vodacom Bulls eighthman CJ Stander and ex-Sharks prop BJ Botha turned out for Munster, who were overwhelming favourites before the final.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP (qualification play-off)
– Bordeaux-Bègles secured a place in next season's Champions Cup, courtesy of a last-gasp drop goal which handed them a dramatic 23-22 win over Gloucester. Scrumhalf Heini Adams and locks Berend Botha and Jandré Marais represented Bordeaux, who fought back from 16-0 down to win the qualification play-off.
Compiled by Mariette Adams
Photo: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
