Siya Kolisi’s Racing 92 accelerated to the summit of the Top 14, while Johann van Graan’s Bath cleaned up Harlequins in England.
Top 14
– Siya Kolisi played the whole game as Racing 92 hammered newly-promoted Oyonnax 66-10 to go three points clear in first place in the Top 14. Former Junior Springbok scrumhalf James Hall made his return from injury as a substitute, with Stuart Lancaster’s team claiming a first win in three games.
– Jan Serfontein dotted down to help Montpellier claim just their second win of the season in a 30-21 victory over sixth-placed Castres. Serfontein went over the tryline in the fourth minute for the 2021 Top 14 champions, who are still bottom of the table after a poor start to the season. Springboks Cobus Reinach and Nico Janse van Rensburg played off the bench for Montpellier.
Jan Serfontein scored early on for @MHR_officiel in its 30-21 win over Castres. #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/DEE9vGgi9Y
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) December 24, 2023
– On Friday night, winger Madosh Tambwe crossed for his second try of the campaign as Bordeaux-Begles beat 46-10 Lyon to keep up the pace with Racing.
Madosh Tambwe scored for @UBBrugby in a mighty 46-10 win over Lyon. #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/hpEucIja5J
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) December 24, 2023
– There was more disappointment for La Rochelle, as the European champions were unable to rebound from a Champions Cup to the Stormers, losing 13-18 against Stade Francais in Paris. Former Sharks centre Jeremy Ward scored the decisive try for Stade, but was yellow-carded in the second half for starting a fracas with opposite number Jonathan Danty, which saw the French centre red-carded for kicking out in retaliation. Dillyn Leyds was on the right win for La Rochelle, who are still without a handful of star players due to injury, and next face Toulouse in a repeat of last season’s final.
Jeremy Ward scoring yet again for Stade Francais.
Him and Joe Marchant are running riot at the moment. What a combo. #SaffasAbroad | @SFParisRugby pic.twitter.com/3j3g4ADWO7
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) December 23, 2023
Premiership
– Johann van Graan‘s Bath moved to the top of the Premiership table, with a masterclass from Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell steering the ship in a 25-17 victory against Harlequins. Springbok prop Thomas du Toit was joined by veteran utility forward GJ van Velze in Bath’s lineup, while flank Jaco Coetzee, loosehead Juan Schoeman and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder were on the bench. Center Andre Esterhuizen, blindside flank Stephan Lewies and fullback Tyrone Green started for Harlequins, who suffered a third loss in four games.
– Sale Sharks stayed in touch of Bath by holding out for a 22-20 home win against Saracens. No 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, flank Ernst van Rhyn, tighthead prop Nic Schonert and playmaker Robert du Preez – at outside centre – all started for Sale, who are one point away from first place after winning four of their last five games. Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl dotted down for Saracens, who have lost two games in a row in the Premiership.
– Northampton Saints claimed a 31-29 away victory over Gloucester to earn a third win in a row. Juarno Augustus was a substitute for the third-placed Saints, while flank Ruan Ackermann started for Gloucester.
– Exeter Chiefs produced a powerful display to knock down high-flying Leicester Tigers and earn a 29-10 victory. Flank Jacques Vermeulen continued his hot streak by scoring an early try for Exeter, laying the platform for a vital win which saw them rise to fourth. Springboks Handre Pollard and Jasper Wiese started for Leicester, but couldn’t continue their heroics which have helped the Tigers turn their season around.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images