Its amazing how one forgets about the overseas players. Some news
Morné Steyn may not be the toast of Paris but his team did win the derby between Stade Français and Racing Métro when the two sides met on Saturday, despite Johan Goosen’s exceptional solo try.
It didn’t all go the young Springbok’s way, given his drop goal hit the post and from the resulting ricochet Stade broke upfield to score a try by Julien Arias, but his own five-pointer was special – swerving and stepping his way through the Stade defence for a try to keep Racing in touch, although they couldn’t get the win away from home in a 23-19 loss. Juandré Kruger and Francois van der Merwe had both started in the second row.
Gurthrö Steenkamp’s Toulouse finally got their season up and running with victory over champions Toulon on Sunday, despite a Bryan Habana try for the visiting side.
Bakkies Botha received a yellow card on his return to club action following the Rugby Championship, as Toulon were well beaten by a Toulouse outfit who have struggled to get going so far this season. Botha and Habana were joined by Juan Smith in the starting XV for Toulon, with Michael Claassens a replacement.
The impressive start for Bordeaux-Bègles continued as they thrashed Rory Kockott’s Castres 59-7, having put 50 points on Clermont the week before. Jandre Marais and Berend Botha packed down in the engine room for the victorious side as Kockott missed the contest. Rumours in France suggest that there may be changes to the Castres coaching staff this week after a dire start.
Wynand Olivier’s Montpellier defeated Jody Jenneker’s Oyonnax 25-9 to remain steady in the top four, while Lyon picked up a fourth win of the season at home with Ricky Januarie at scrum-half and Deon Fourie coming off the bench to silence Dewald Senekal and Gert Muller’s team.
Peter Grant’s La Rochelle couldn’t continue their flying run away to Clermont, losing 30-10 against the league leaders, while Gio Aplon and Charl McLeod both played their part as Grenoble took down Brive on Friday night.
Over to the Premiership and Ashley Johnson was at his barnstorming best when Wasps surprised in-form Bath on Sunday, after a turbulent week for the club following the announcement of their move to Coventry from London later this year.
New Saracens captain Alastair Hargreaves picked up a rare try as his men held off Gloucester 28-21 on Saturday, with Schalk Brits making his first start of the season and Brad Barritt winning the Man of the Match award.
Former Stormers flanker Don Armand was another Man of the Match winner after his brilliant performance in Exeter’s 44-24 thrashing of London Irish, inflicting a first away loss of the season on the Exiles.
Finally in the Pro12, Ulster trio Louis Ludik, Franco van der Merwe and Wiehaan Herbst were all part of the 29-9 win over unbeaten Glasgow. Josh Strauss was captain of the losing side at Ravenhill as the Pro12 finalists suffered their first setback at a tough venue.
Zane Kirchner was on the wing for Leinster as they got the job done away in Italy against Zebre, with Richardt Strauss making a welcome return at hooker for the Pro12 champions.
Edinburgh were also successful, defeating Rynard Landman’s Dragons in the Scottish capital with Andries Strauss, Cornell du Preez and Anton Bresler all in starting roles.
Gerhard van der Heever, CJ Stander and BJ Botha were all present for Munster’s crucial win over the Scarlets, who had Johan Snyman in the second row, while Corniel van Zyl captained Treviso in their narrow 6-9 home defeat to Connacht and Quinn Roux
