SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend's French Top 14 final and Test matches involving South African players.
FRENCH TOP 14 FINAL
– Racing 92, with Johan Goosen, Bernard le Roux, Antonie Claassen and Juandré Kruger in their ranks, were crowned champions after they stunned Toulon 29-21 at Camp Nou in Barcelona on Friday. The winners were reduced to 14 men in the 18th minute when their scrumhalf was red-carded for a spear tackle, but that didn't derail the Parisians, who went on to win the Bouclier de Brennus for the first time since 1990. Goosen was influential for Racing, with an early break through the middle before kicking three long-range penalties. With a rating of 8.5, respected French rugby website RugbyRama.fr voted Johan Goosen their Man of the Match. Springbok wing Bryan Habana started for Toulon, who outscored Racing two tries to one, but conceded just too many penalties.
TEST RUGBY
– After serving his one-match suspension, CJ Stander returned to Ireland's starting lineup for the third Test against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth. Stander played blindside flank and won a couple of turnover penalties, but the Boks won the series decider 19-13.
– Flank Josh Strauss and prop WP Nel were part of the Scotland team that ground out a 21-16 win against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.
– A late penalty saw Italy snatch a 20-18 victory over Canada in Toronto on Sunday. No 8 Andries van Schalkwyk and lock Quintin Geldenhuys both put in 80-minute shifts for the Azzurri.
Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP Photo
