SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend’s Test and English Premiership matches involving South African players.
TEST RUGBY
– Scotland’s incredible run of results at Murrayfield was brought to an end when they lost 26-20 to the Springboks. WP Nel started for the Scots but struggled against Bok loosehead Steven Kitshoff. Allan Dell and Josh Strauss were replacements in the second half.
– CJ Stander was part of the Ireland starting XV that beat the All Blacks 16-9 in Dublin. Stander was busy throughout the Test, making a whopping 23 carries at No 8.
– England survived a scare from Japan to come out 35-15 winners. Lock Wimpie van der Walt did duty for the Japanese.
– Italy pushed the Wallabies hard, but could not get the job done as they slumped to a 26-7 loss in Padua. Loose forwards Braam Steyn and Johan Meyer were in action for the Italians.
– Canada took a step closer to World Cup qualification by beating Germany 29-10 in Marseille. DTH van der Merwe was on the left wing for Canada. Hooker Kurt Haupt, lock and captain Michael Poppmeier, loose trio Sebastian Ferreira, Jaco Otto and Jarrid Els, as well as flyhalf Raynor Parkinson and wing Marcel Coetzee, all started for Germany. Parkinson kicked a conversion and penalty.
– The USA extended their winning streak to nine Tests with a 31-5 victory against Romania. Scrumhalf Ruben de Haas scored one of the USA’s five tries, sniping in from behind a ruck. Marcel Brache started at fullback for the Eagles while flank Hanco Germishuys was a replacement in the second half.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP
– Johan Ackermann’s Gloucester opened the Premiership weekend by beating the Leicester Tigers 36-13. Jaco Kriel started his first Premiership match for Gloucester, making 12 tackles and winning a turnover. Gerbrant Grobler came off the bench late in the match.
– Harlequins sent the Newcastle Falcons to the bottom of the table with a 20-7 win. Hooker Kyle Cooper and flyhalf Tim Swiel were substitutes for the Falcons.
– Jacques van Rooyen was on the bench for Bath as they claimed a 28-13 win against the Worcester Warriors. Francois Venter and Francois Hougaard both had solid outings for the Warriors, with Venter making 42m from 10 carries, while Hougaard made 16 tackles and a turnover. Tighthead prop Nic Schonert, lock Anton Bresler and No 8 Gerrit Jan van Velze were also in action for the Warriors, while Wynand Olivier was an unused substitute.
– The Northampton Saints earned a 36-17 win over Midlands rivals Wasps, condemning the Coventry team to their third loss of the season. Cobus Reinach started for the Saints, and made a total of 33m with ball in hand, while he also won two turnovers. Juan de Jongh and co-captain Ashley Johnson started for Wasps.
– Robert du Preez’s fine effort with the boot was in vain as the Sale Sharks went down 31-25 to Saracens. Du Preez kicked a total of 20 points as he started his first Premiership match outside the returning Faf de Klerk and the two combined well for Sale’s only try of the match. Michael Rhodes scored the first of Saracens’ four tries, while veteran Schalk Burger and captain Brad Barritt also did duty for the defending champions. Jono Ross captained the Sharks.
– The Exeter Chiefs climbed to the top of the table with a stunning come-from-behind 31-29 victory against the Bristol Bears. Don Armand and Wilhelm van der Sluys were in action for the Chiefs, who are still unbeaten this season.
Compiled by Dylan Jack
VOTE: 2018 Fans’ Choice Awards
Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images
