SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend’s English Premiership, Celtic Pro12 and French Top 14 matches, involving South African players.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHP
– Tighthead prop Brian Mujati was in the Sale Sharks' starting lineup that lost 30-3 against Bath at The Rec on Friday.
– The Leicester Tigers recorded a comprehensive 34-13 bonus-point win over the Worcester Warriors at Welford Road. Winger Dean Hammond, outside centre Wynand Olivier and prop Nic Schonert started for the Warriors.
– Tim Swiel was listed as a replacement, but came off the bench in the second half to slot four penalties, guiding Harlequins to a crucial 20-9 victory against the Northampton Saints at The Stoop. Ex-Stormers scrumhalf Nic Groom was in Saints' run-on XV.
– Saracens, with centre Brad Barritt, flanks Schalk Burger and Michael Rhodes, prop Petrus du Plessis and hooker Schalk Brits in their ranks, ended Wasps unbeaten streak with a 30-14 win over their closest rivals. Ashley Johnson, who has been used primarily as a hooker, started on the side of the scrum for Wasps, who have now dropped to second in the standings below their conquerors.
CELTIC PRO12
– Wing DTH van der Merwe, locks David Bulbring and Rynier Bernardo and prop Werner Kruger, formed part of the Scarlets side that edged the Newport Gwent Dragons 31-27 at home. Former WP and Stormers duo Pat Howard (wing) and Brok Harris (prop) started for the Dragons, but it was replacement scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius who scored a vital try to secure a bonus point for his side.
– Flank Josh Strauss and his Glasgow Warriors teammates claimed a thrilling 33-28 bonus-point win over hosts Zebre. Wing Kayle van Zyl, centre Lloyd Greeff, No 8 Andries van Schalkwyk, flank Johan Meyer and lock Quintin Geldenhuys played for Zebre, with Van Schalkwyk scoring one of their three tries.
– Leinster beat rivals Munster 25-14. CJ Stander started at the back of the scrum for the Munster side and centre Jaco Taute, who came off their bench, scored his first try for the province in a losing cause.
– Edinburgh scored seven tries to thump Treviso 45-10 at Murrayfield. Eighthman Braam Steyn represented Treviso for the full 80 minutes.
– Connacht made it back-to-back wins in the competition when they defeated Ulster 30-25 at The Sportsground. The injury-hit Ulster side featured Louis Ludik at outside centre and Robbie Diack at No 4 lock, while hooker Rob Herring was on the bench.
FRENCH TOP 14
– Racing, with lock Francois van der Merwe named among their substitutes, scored a last-minute try to beat Stade Français in their much-anticipated Paris derby. Meyer Bosman played flyhalf for Stade and Heinke van der Merwe started at loosehead prop.
– Bordeaux, with Jandré Marais at No 5 lock, beat Brive 27-25 at home. Eighthman Petrus Hauman and lock Wilhelm Steenkamp played for Brive.
– Montpellier beat Castres 28-19 to return to winning ways. Centre Francois Steyn, flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis and locks Paul Willemse and Jacques du Plessis were named in Montpellier's starting lineup, while Arno van Wyk, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Pierre Spies and Henry Immenman were used as impact players off the bench. Prop Dan Kotzé, scrumhalf Rory Kockott and centre Robert Ebersohn, who played against Montpellier for the first time since leaving the club, turned out for Castres. Kockott added 11 of Castres' points via a conversion and three penalties.
– In arguably the biggest upset of the weekend, beleaguered Grenoble thrashed Bayonne 44-16 to come away with maximum log points. Prop Rossouw de Klerk did service for the winners, while flyhalf Willie du Plessis was seated on the Bayonne bench.
– Captain Duane Vermeulen, flank Aidon Davis and lock Juandré Kruger turned out for Toulon, who scored a late try to snatch a 17-17 draw with hosts La Rochelle.
– Props BJ Botha and Albertus Buckle, flank Deon Fourie and flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter were in the Lyon team that edged Pau 27-22.
– Ex-Cheetahs prop Maks van Dyk turned out for Toulouse, losing 29-25 to Clermont, who moved four points clear at the top of the standings after this win.
Photo: Stephen McCarthy/SportsFile/Getty Images
