Versatile Kolbe dazzles at flyhalf

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Toulouse’s Cheslin Kolbe was the star performer of the match, despite his team slumping to an agonising 30-27 defeat by Racing in the French Top 14 this weekend.

– Bordeaux beat Lyon 37-19 in their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday to move into first position on the log ahead of their victims. Lock Jandre Marais started for Bordeaux, while locks Etienne Oosthuizen and Hendrik Roodt featured for the now second-placed Lyon.

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– Toulon recorded a resounding 34-17 victory over Brive, with their marquee signing Eben Etzebeth galloping over for one of their four tries. Lock Jan Uys and flank Retief Marais represented Brive, who sit in the bottom half of the table. The result moved Toulon up to fourth.

– Lourens Adriaanse and his Pau teammates suffered an agonising 23-20 defeat at the hands of Clermont. The loss keeps Pau rooted to second-last place on the log, while Clermont are sixth.

– Handre Pollard kicked four conversions and a crucial penalty to guide Montpellier to a riveting 31-29 victory against Bayonne at home. Pollard played alongside compatriots Johan Goosen, Jan Serfontein, Frans Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Jacques du Plessis. Montpellier are now seventh on the log, just one spot off a playoff position.

– Bottom-feeders Stade Français caused a big upset when they edged La Rochelle 21-20 thanks to a last-minute converted try. Scrumhalf James Hall had an excellent game for Stade and played from start to finish. Centre Lionel Mapoe joined Hall on the field from the 54th minute. Flank Wiaan Liebenberg did service for La Rochelle and scored a try.

– Castres lashed hosts Agen 43-24. The bonus-point win is enough to move them back into the top 14. Hooker Jody Jenneker, prop Dan Kotze, scrumhalf Rory Kockott and centre Rob Ebersohn all turned out for Castres, with Kockott the only one who managed to play the entire game. Centre Johann Sadie, who scored a try, and No 8 Jeremy Jordaan, who received yellow card late in the match, were on duty for Agen.

– Despite Toulouse falling to a 30-27 loss against Racing, their magic man Cheslin Kolbe was the star of the show. The fleet-footed utility back was selected at flyhalf for Toulouse and he performed brilliantly in the unfamiliar position. Kolbe nailed two conversions and two penalties, including a successful touchline attempt and a long-range attempt measured at 50 metres out. Fellow Springbok Rynhardt Elstadt and prop Maks van Dyk played alongside the versatile Kolbe. Racing had No 8 Antonie Claassen in their ranks.

Photo: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport via Steve Haag Sports/Hollywoodbets

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Mariette Adams