Springboks Cheslin Kolbe and Manie Libbok starred with boot and ball as South Africa’s foreign legion impressed across Europe and Japan.
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French Top 14
Prop Carlu Sadie got on the scoresheet for Investec Champions Cup holders Bordeaux Begles in their 57-32 win against Castres. Rohan Janse van Rensburg started in midfield for Bordeaux, while forward Tiaan Jacobs made an impact from the bench.
Former Stormers speedster Dillyn Leyds crossed the whitewash for La Rochelle in a 43-33 defeat to Montpellier at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Lock Janse Roux‘s Lyon thrashed Montauban 73-12 at the Stade de Garland in Lyon. Hooker Ru-Hann Greyling started for Montauban, while former Stormers and Sharks loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe was a replacement.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies made an appearance from the bench in Bayonne’s 41-36 defeat to Racing 92.
Former Sharks centre Jeremy Ward started in midfield for Stade Francais in their 13-9 defeat to Toulouse in Paris.
Japan Rugby League One
Yokohama Canon Eagles captain Jesse Kriel got on the scoresheet in a 53-31 loss to the Black Rams Tokyo at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground. Flanker Jeandre Labuschagne came off the bench.
Lock Lourens Erasmus packed down for the Toyota Verblitz in their 26-20 defeat to the Saitama Wild Knights at the Kumagaya Stadium. Hooker Schalk Erasmus made a substitute appearance for Verblitz, while Juan Wilson and Ockie Barnard featured as forward replacements for the Wild Knights.
Nine South Africans featured in the Kubota Spears’ 42-19 win against the Shizuoka Blue Revs at the Yamaha Stadium. Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx dotted down for Kubota, with Ruan Botha, David Bullbring, Tyler Paul and Merwe Olivier also in the pack. Rikus Pretorius started in the midfield. Springbok Kwagga Smith captained the Blue Revs from No 8, with former Lions utility back Sylvian Mahuza making an appearance from the bench.
Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am and prop Pieter Scholtz‘s Mitsubishi Dynaboars earned a much-needed 44-34 win against the Honda Heat in Kanagawa. Bok flank Franco Mostert scored a first-half try for the Heat, with prop Matthys Basson and flyhalf Dawid Kellerman also in the starting lineup.
