Springbok lock Franco Mostert inspired Honda Heat to a first win of the season as Japan’s League One took centre stage, with the French Top 14 and English Premiership on a bye.
– Former Western Province and Bulls hooker Schalk Erasmus scored as Kubota Spears bounced back to beat Canon Eagles 29-26. Erasmus was joined by lock David Bulbring and centre Rikus Pretorius in the starting lineup for Frans Ludeke‘s team, while former Stormers lock JD Schickerling was on the bench. Rohan Janse van Rensburg scored his second try for the Eagles, who had Kobus van Dyk at flank.
– Panasonic Wild Knights continued their incredible unbeaten season with a 28-18 victory over Kobe Steel. Lood de Jager was at lock for Wild Knights and won his battle against All Blacks rival and Kobe captain Brodie Retallick. Damian de Allende started at inside centre for the Knights, who have won all of their 10 games this season.
– Honda Heat gave ex-Italy coach Kieran Crowley his maiden win in Japan Rugby League One after a courageous 20-19 victory over fellow winless side, Kintetsu Liners, in Osaka. Crowley’s men prevailed to gain their first win of the season despite being the third side of the weekend to suffer a red card.  Franco Mostert started at lock for Honda Heat. The win, achieved against a Kintetsu outfit that fielded the Wallaby halves Quade Cooper and Will Genia, lifted Heat off the bottom of the table.
– At the other end of the point’s table, second-placed Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo put the disappointment of last week’s first defeat of the campaign at Kumagaya behind them, despatching Mitsubishi Dynaboars 41-19 to continue their advance towards semi-final qualification. Todd Blackadder’s men out-scored the Dynaboars seven tries to three, with the result rarely in doubt after Brave Lupus breezed to a 24-0 lead from the first 26 minutes of the contest. Former Lions lock PJ Steenkamp played off the bench for Brave Lupus, while former Bulls second-row Walt Steenkamp started for the Dynaboars.
Photo: @Fran_Capizzi/Twitter
The post Saffas Abroad: Bok lock brings the Heat appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
