SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the South African players who featured for their respective clubs in the second round of the Japan Top League this past weekend.
– Malcolm Marx scored his third try in two games as the Kubota Spears claimed a 39-7 victory over Toshiba Brave Lupus. The Springbok hooker started for the Spears alongside the lock pair David Bullbring and Ruan Botha, as well as Japan-capped flank Pieter Labuschagne and wing Gerhard van den Heever, who kicked a late conversion. The Spears, coached by former Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, are currently tied in second place in the Red Conference.
– The Red Hurricanes, coached by Johan Ackermann, continued their unbeaten start with a 38-19 win over the Green Rockets. Former Lions lock Ruan Vermaak started in the Hurricanes second row alongside Lourens Erasmus, while Japan-capped loose forward Wimpie van der Walt also started, with Franco Marais on the bench. All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara continued his excellent form by scoring a brace of tries for the Red Hurricanes. Benhard Janse van Rensburg started at outside centre for the Green Rockets.
– The Black Rams bounced back from their opening-round loss to hand Yamaha Jubilo their first defeat with a 23-22 win. Kwagga Smith started for Yamaha and scored a try in the 76th minute to bring his side within touching distance of their opponents. Jubilo are still two points ahead of the Black Rams in the White Conference.
– Lionel Cronje scored 12 points to help Toyota Verblitz claim a 47-29 victory over the Shining Arcs. Cronje, who started at flyhalf, kicked two penalties and three conversions as Verblitz continued their unbeaten start to the season. Springbok fullback Willie le Roux also started for Verblitz, who had Kieran Read and Michael Hooper in their match-day squad. Willie Britz started at No 8 for the Shining Arcs and scored a try, while Sylvian Mahuza was at outside centre for the home side.
– The Wild Knights climbed to the top of the White Conference with a 60-12 thrashing of the Red Dolphins. Former Bulls prop Dayan van der Westhuizen started for the Red Dolphins, who are at the bottom of the conference after losing their opening fixtures.
– Kobe Steel scored 11 tries to demolish the Canon Eagles in a 73-10 victory. Former Stormers players Jan de Klerk, Kobus van Wyk and SP Marais started for the Eagles.
– All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett scored eight points as Suntory Sungoliath claimed a 31-14 win over Honda Heat. Springbok lock Franco Mostert started for Honda, alongside flank Paul Schoeman.
Photo: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images
