Top 14

London Irish's Benhard Janse van Rensburg (second left) catches the ball during the Gallagher Premiership match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday December 23, 2022.

Saffas Abroad: Benhard breaks Saracens’ run

Here’s a wrap of the South Africans playing in the French Top 14, Japanese Top League and Premiership, where Saracens surrendered their unbeaten run.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Jasper Wiese of Leicester Tigers looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Leicester, England.

Saffas Abroad: Wiese wreaks havoc, Tambwe touches down

Here’s a wrap of all the action involving South African players in the English Premiership and French Top 14, including the wrecking ball-performance by Jasper Wiese.

Bok prop signs with French giants

Springbok anchor Vincent Koch has agreed to join French Top 14 side Stade Francais as a medical joker, ending widespread speculation around his future.

Jeremy WARD of Stade Francais and Romain BRIATTE of Stade Francais after the Top 14 match between Union Bordeaux-Begles and Stade Francais at Jacques Chaban-Delmas on October 1, 2022 in Bordeaux, France.

Ward: Stade move can get the best out of me

Former Junior Springboks captain Jeremy Ward said he is “finding his feet” at Stade Francais less than a month after arriving in France.

SALFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Daniel du Preez of Sale Sharks runs with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints at AJ Bell Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Salford, England

Saffas Abroad: Du Preez bros star for Sale

Another action-packed weekend in the northern hemisphere featured excellent performances from the Du Preez brothers, as well as Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese.

Elton Jantjies of South Africa during the 2022 Castle Lager Incoming Series match between South Africa and Wales at Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on the 02 July 2022 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Elton set for France return?

Elton Jantjies is reportedly the subject of interest from French giants Toulon, who are prepared to offer the Springbok flyhalf a career lifeline.

Raymond RHULE of Stade Rochelais celebrate his try with Dillyn LEYDS of Stade Rochelais during the Final Champions Cup match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Orange Velodrome on May 28, 2022 in Marseille, France.

Bond with Leyds key to Rhule’s La Rochelle revival

Raymond Rhule says having a “special bond” with fellow Springbok Dillyn Leyds has allowed the pair to blossom at La Rochelle, before Saturday’s French Top 14 trip to Bayonne.

La Rochelle's South African wing Dillyn Leyds runs to score a try during the French Top14 rugby union match between Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby and Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) at The Matmut Stadium in Venissieux, near Lyon, central-eastern France on september 10, 2022. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP)

La Rochelle survive scare, Montpelllier off the mark

La Rochelle survived a late scare to edge Lyon 23-21 and take pole position in the Top 14 on Saturday with champions Montpellier bouncing back from their opening round defeat to beat Bordeaux-Begles.

Bordeaux' Congolese wing Madosh Tambwe (L) reacts after scoring a try during the French Top 14 rugby union match Bordeaux-Begles vs Stade Toulousain at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, on September 4, 2022. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP)

Saffas Abroad: Tambwe lights up Top 14 openers

Here’s a wrap of all the action involving South African players in the opening round of the French Top 14, including a look at Madosh Tambwe’s sensational debut.

Handre POLLARD of Montpellier Herault Rugby (MHR) and Arthur VINCENT of Montpellier Herault Rugby (MHR) celebrates during the Top 14 Playoffs, Semifinal match between Montpellier and Bordeaux on June 18, 2022 in Nice, France.

Montpellier through to Top 14 final

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard will have a shot at silverware after Montpellier progressed to next weekend’s Top 14 final with a 19-10 win over Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.