Springbok prop Thomas du Toit scored his 10th try of the season for Bath, while Pieter-Steph du Toit helped his club claim a crucial victory in Japan.
Premiership
– Saracens held out against a second-half comeback from Bath to claim a crucial 15-12 victory, after leading 12-0 at half time. Springbok prop Thomas du Toit continued his remarkable season with his 10th try of the season for Bath, making him the club’s joint-top try-scorer for the season. Locks Quinn Roux and Jacques du Plessis, loose forward Jaco Coetzee and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder were also in action for Johann van Graan‘s team, who dropped to third on the table. Second-placed Saracens had Ivan van Zyl at scrumhalf.
– Playoff-chasing Leicester Tigers lost further ground on the top four after suffering a 21-19 defeat to Bristol Bears. Handre Pollard kicked two conversions, one of those for prop Frans van Wyk‘s try. Bok No 8 Jasper Wiese was joined by Hanro Liebenberg in Leicester’s back row. Centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg started for Bristol Bears, who climbed to fourth.
– Harlequins scored six tries in a thrilling 41-32 victory against Premiership leaders Northampton Saints, boosting their playoff hopes with two games left. Captain Stephan Lewies was among the try scorers for Harlequins, who had fullback Tyrone Green, centre Andre Esterhuizen and lock Irne Herbst in their lineup. No 8 Juarno Augustus played off the bench for Northampton.
– Robert du Preez scored a try to help Sale Sharks stay alive in the playoff race in a 35-14 away win against Newcastle Falcons. Lock Cobus Wiese and No 8 Jean-Luc du Preez also started for Sale, who are two points off the top four.
– A brace of tries from loose forward Jacques Vermeulen helped Exeter Chiefs beat Gloucester 38-17. Ruan Ackermann started for Gloucester.
Top 14
– Racing 92’s hopes of securing a place in the top two received a blow in a 32-12 loss to Toulouse. Bok tighthead Trevor Nyakane was joined by fullback Tristan Tedder in Racing’s lineup. Tedder kicked a last-minute conversion for fourth-placed Racing, who trailed second-placed Toulouse by eight points.
– Marvin Orie‘s Perpignan climbed into the top six with a 25-20 win in Montpellier. Bok lock Orie played off the bench for Perpignan. Loose forward Nico Janse van Rensburg scored a try for Montpellier, who remain in the relegation playoff place.
– Lyon boosted their chances of avoiding a relegation playoff by beating Pau 38-20. Arno Botha started at No 8 for Lyon, who are eight points ahead of Montpellier.
– Bordeaux climbed to third place on the Top 14 table with a 34-15 victory over Bayonne. Former Lions and Sharks tighthead prop Carlu Sadie started for Bordeaux.
– Clermont warmed up for their Challenge Cup playoff against the Sharks by demolishing league leaders Stade Francais 41-18. Jeremy Ward captained Stade Francais and scored a try for the Parisians, who saw their lead at the top cut to just two points.
Japan League One
– League leaders Wild Knights survived a scare to continue their unbeaten run with a 33-24 home win against Kintetsu Liners. Damian de Allende was on the bench for the Knights, while Lood de Jager was rested.
– Pieter-Steph du Toit played a crucial role in helping Toyota Verblitz claim a thrilling 35-31 victory over Canon Eagles. Du Toit started at No 8 and faced off against Springbok teammate and Eagles centre Jesse Kriel, who made his first start since recovering from injury.
Photo: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
