SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the South African players who featured for their respective clubs in the French Top 14 this past weekend.
– La Rochelle, with Raymond Rhule at wing, convincingly beat Toulon 29-11 to consolidate their position in second place on the log. Rhule crossed the line for one of La Rochelle’s tries. Lock Eben Etzebeth was on duty for Toulon.
Raymond Rhule vs Toulon
8️⃣0️⃣ Minutes ⏰
0️⃣2️⃣ Broken Tackles ?
0️⃣2️⃣ Tackles ??
0️⃣2️⃣ Missed Tackles ?
1️⃣1️⃣ Carries ?
0️⃣1️⃣ Penalty Conceded ✖️
0️⃣1️⃣ Try ? #SaffasAbroad #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/xBbC6PSWli— Saffas Abroad Rugby ??? (@SaffasRugby) February 14, 2021
Raymond Rhule’s try for @staderochelais last night
? #SaffasAbroad #TOP14 #RCTSR pic.twitter.com/uvMy3rC2PT
— Saffas Abroad Rugby ??? (@SaffasRugby) February 14, 2021
– Lock Retief Marais was part of the Brive side that slumped to an agonising 26-23 loss in a thrilling encounter with Bayonne. The result means Bayonne are now just one point behind Montpellier in the bottom half of the table.
– Cheslin Kolbe, playing fullback, scored the opening try which set Toulouse on their way to a 31-9 bonus-point victory over Pau. Kolbe was joined in Toulouse’s starting lineup by Springbok teammate Rynhardt Elstadt. Veteran prop Lourens Adriaanse played for Pau. The win extends Toulouse’s lead at the top of the table to three points.
Cheslin Kolbe v Pau ?
8️⃣0️⃣ Minutes ⏰
0️⃣8️⃣ Tackles ?
0️⃣0️⃣ Missed tackles ✖️
0️⃣2️⃣ Passes ✋
0️⃣5️⃣ Carries ?♂️
0️⃣3️⃣ Defenders beaten ?
5️⃣8️⃣ Running metres ⚡️
0️⃣1️⃣ Try ? #TOP14 | #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/ulUys7woHq— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 15, 2021
– Flank Gerbrandt Grobler and scrumhalf James Hall were part of the Stade Français team that suffered a 44-6 defeat by an impressive Bordeaux side, which featured lock Jandre Marais.
– Experienced scrumhalf Rory Kockott crossed for one of five tries as Castres thrashed Montpellier 48-17 at home. Lock Ryno Pieterse played alongside Kockott for the winning team. Montpellier had fullback Henry Immelman, centre Jan Serfontein, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, No 8 Jacques du Plessis and lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg in their run-on XV.
Rory Kockett v Montpellier ?
6️⃣1️⃣ Minutes clock ⏰
1️⃣9️⃣ Passes ✋
1️⃣7️⃣ Kicks ?
0️⃣7️⃣ Carries ?♂️
0️⃣1️⃣ Defender beaten ?
3️⃣7️⃣ Running metres ⚡️
0️⃣1️⃣ Try ?#TOP14 | #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/Dyg4hrokAv— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 15, 2021
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Photo: Le’Quipe