Bordeaux, with two South African heavyweights, climbed to the top of France’s Top 14 log, while a former Western Province wing helped hand defending Toulouse a second successive defeat.
– Racing came from behind to pick up a much-needed 27-24 away win against Vannes. Hacjivah Dayimani started at No 8 for the visitors, but was replaced shortly after half time, as Racing went into the break trailing 17-10. Locks Christie van der Merwe and Anton Bresler played for the newly promoted Vannes, who came away with a losing bonus point.
– Stade Francais arrested a run of two successive defeats by beating Montpellier 29-20. Former Sharks players Jeremy Ward and JJ van der Mescht started for Stade, who had outside back Joe Jonas on the bench. Paul Willemse made his first start since April for Montpellier, but the France lock was forced off with a concussion in the ninth minute, as his injury woes continued. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg returned to Montpellier’s back row, after training with the Springboks during the Rugby Championship. A third loss in a row saw Montpellier, who survived a relegation battle last season, drop down to 13th.
– Bordeaux were made to sweat to claim a 30-27 home win over Bayonne to finish the round at the top of the table. Former Lions and Sharks prop Carlu Sadie started for Bordeaux, but the tighthead prop was yellow carded in the first half for a dangerous tackle. Bordeaux called Rohan Janse van Rensburg off the bench early in the second half, but the centre had to be replaced in the last 10 minutes.
– Perpignan scored a try three minutes into overtime to snatch an 11-10 home victory against Pau. Marvin Orie played most of the second half for Perpignan after being named on the bench. After starting their season with three successive losses, Perpignan now have back-to-back wins.
– Castres produced one of the results of the round by beating defending champions Toulouse 28-23 to climb up to third on the log. Former Western Province and Southern Kings wing Christian Ambadiang started for Castres. Having suffered their first home defeat in over two years in the previous, Toulouse have now lost back-to-back games in the league.
Photo: @UBBRugby/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
