Saffas Abroad: Pollard bests Farrell, again
Handre Pollard continued his successful streak against Owen Farrell in the Premiership, while Cheslin Kolbe dotted down for his first try of the season in Japan.
Handre Pollard continued his successful streak against Owen Farrell in the Premiership, while Cheslin Kolbe dotted down for his first try of the season in Japan.
Head coach Dan McFarland has praised the impact of Steven Kitshoff at Ulster, highlighting the Springbok loosehead prop’s credibility and incredible work-rate.
Johann van Graan insisted he had no qualms about fielding a second-string team after defeat at Leicester meant Bath missed the chance to end 2023 top of the Premiership.
Handre Pollard kicked eight points as Leicester Tigers took advantage of Johann van Graan’s understrength Bath, while Dillyn Leyds scored in La Rochelle’s rout of Toulouse.
Exeter Chiefs loose forward Jacques Vermeulen sent Bristol Bears flyhalf Callum Sheedy sprawling with a powerful fend in an English Premiership clash on Friday.
Johann van Graan admits Bath have “no specific plan” to stop Leicester Tigers’ World Cup-winning pivot Handre Pollard on Sunday, while hailing Jasper Wiese’s dynamism.
Home and abroad, South African players took centre stage in European club rugby action in 2023, with all five local franchises involved in the Champions and Challenge cups.
Scottish club Edinburgh have made swift work locking down one of South African rugby’s standout exports for the foreseeable future.
Siya Kolisi’s Racing 92 accelerated to the summit of the Top 14, while Johann van Graan’s Bath cleaned up Harlequins in England.
Former Cheetahs loose forward Aidon Davis has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.