Benhard Janse van Rensburg inspired Bristol Bears stay in touch with the top of the Premiership against last season’s finalists Bath, while Robert du Preez’s boot helped Sale Sharks eke out a victory.
– Premiership champions Northampton fought back after a sluggish first half to beat visiting Harlequins 33-29 on Friday. Despite a late ‘Quins try, the Saints held on for a 17th straight win at Franklin’s Gardens. Stephan Lewies and Irne Herbst formed the second row for Harlequins, who have lost two of their opening three games.
– In the night’s other match Sale also fell behind at home, before recovering to eke out a 31-27 win over Gloucester. Robert du Preez started at flyhalf for the Sharks and kicked three of his five conversion attempts. Sale had Ernst van Rhyn at flank and lock Le Roux Roets on the bench. Ruan Ackermann was a substitute for Gloucester.
– Benhard Janse van Renburg’s try inspired a 36-26 win over Bath to send Bristol Bears to second place in the Premiership. Bath’s first defeat of the season came after a dominant first-half display from the Bears, where Janse van Rensburg dotted down to take Bristol to a 26-7 half-time lead. Springbok prop Thomas du Toit returned to action for Johann van Graan‘s Bath at tighthead, while flank Jaco Coetzee played from the bench.
– Leicester scored seven tries to rout struggling Newcastle 42-10 at Kingston Park. The Tigers’ second win this term condemned bottom of the table Newcastle to a 24th consecutive defeat in the Premiership. Leicester were without head coach Michael Cheika due to a one-match ban but his absence didn’t stop them running riot, with flank Hanro Liebenberg grabbing a try after he was yellow carded.
– Saracens climbed to the top of the English Premiership with a 29-14 victory over winless Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. Former Bulls scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl started for Saracens, while ex-Stormers loosehead Kwenzo Blose debuted for Exeter as a substitute. Second-bottom Exeter are one of two Premiership teams yet to record a win after three consecutive defeats.
Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
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