Saffas kick up a storm in USA

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Joe Pietersen, Kurt Coleman, Carl Meyer and Robbie Petzer produced flawless kicking displays for their respective teams in round five of the American Major League.

– Captain Joe Pietersen made a nine-point contribution via three conversions and a penalty to inspire San Diego Legion to a thrilling 24-20 win against their hosts Rugby United in New York. The win propels San Diego, who also had hooker Dean Muir in their starting XV, to top spot in the standings. Flank Hanco Germishuys was on duty for Rugby United.

– Old Glory DC clinched a nail-biting 31-29 victory over Rugby Atlanta in Washington. No 5 lock Dylan Pieterse started for the winning team. Locks Johan Momsen and Stefan Willemse, scrumhalf Duncan van Schalkwyk, flyhalf Kurt Coleman, centre and captain Ryan Nell and wing Zander van Schalkwyk turned out for Rugby Atl, with Coleman slotting two conversions and a penalty for a seven-point haul.

– The Utah Warriors scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to claim a dramatic 33-31 win against the Seattle Seawolves. Hooker Franco van den Berg, No 8 Jurie van Vuuren and centre Tyler Fisher played for the Warriors, with Fisher scoring a crucial second-half try to keep them in the contest. Hooker Stephan Coetzee, lock FP Pelser, eighthman Riekert Hattingh, scrumhalf JP Smith and flyhalf Ryno Eksteen all represented the Seawolves. Hattingh grabbed a brace of tries, while Coetzee was also on the scoreboard. But Coetzee went from hero to villain when he was sent off in the 75th minute, which allowed the Warriors back into the game.

– Austin Gilgronis stunned the Houston Saber Cats 24-20 to register their first league win since June 2018. The victory sees Austin claim the Texas Cup as well as end a 22-match winless streak. Lock Kyle Breytenbach, No 8 Adriaan Booysen, scrumhalf De Wet Roos and centre Tiaan Loots did service for the Saber Cats. Hooker Tiaan Erasmus started and scored for Austin, who climbed from last to second last on the log.

– Carl Meyer produced a flawless five-from-five kicking display to guide Nola Gold to a comfortable 31-22 triumph against the New England Free Jacks. Fullback JP Eloff started alongside Meyer for the winning team, who climbed to fourth in the table.

– Scrumhalf Carlo de Nysschen and centre Robbie Petzer formed part of the Colorado Raptors lineup that beat the previously unbeaten Toronto Arrows 22-19. Petzer was the star performer with a valuable 12-point contribution courtesy of four successful penalties.

Photo: San Diego Legion

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SA Rugby magazine