A Springbok lock who skipped the World Cup trophy tour to help his struggling club made an immediate impact in the Top 14, while Tyrone Green scored a stunning try in the Premiership.
STATE OF THE URC: Bulls rumble, SA teams struggle
Top 14
– Having skipped the World Cup trophy tour in South Africa to aid his new club Perpignan, who were winless and bottom of the table after four rounds, Marvin Orie made an immediate impact in his Top 14 debut, inspiring a 26-22 upset against Toulon. Orie played 29 minutes off the bench and made eight tackles, including one dominant tackle, to help Perpignan claim a first win of the season.
#TOP14 – Le come-back de la J5
Impact immédiat ? 🤔
C’est ce qu’on appelle avoir une mentalité de champion 🏆
Tout juste sacré avec les @Springboks Marvin Orie n’a pas pris le temps de célébrer !
Le deuxième ligne est déjà de retour pour aider l’@usap_officiel à décrocher son… pic.twitter.com/4hK9paBeuJ— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) November 5, 2023
– La Rochelle’s difficult start to the season continued as a late comeback came up just short in a 19-17 loss to Oyonnax. The European champions, who were without both Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule, suffered their third successive defeat, which has left them third from bottom.
– Former Sharks centre Jeremy Ward scored two tries as Stade Francais eased to a 39-16 bonus-point victory over Castres. Ward was joined by lock JJ van der Mescht and veteran scrumhalf Rory Kockott in the starting lineup as Stade won their fourth match of the season to climb up to third on the table.
Jeremy Ward scoring his double for @SFParisRugby in their 39-16 win over Castres.
Paris now have 4 from 5 and are second on the log behind Racing 92.#SaffasAbroad | @JeremyWard_ pic.twitter.com/VPV2Gr9W2x
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) November 4, 2023
– South African playmaker Tristan Tedder scored the winning try and conversion as Racing 92 snatched a 22-20 win against Lyon. Tedder, starting at fullback, also kicked a first-half conversion and penalty for a haul of 12 points for the Parisians, who won a third successive game. Springbok No 8 Arno Botha started for Lyon, who suffered a third loss of the season.
Tristan Tedder a offert la victoire au Racing 92 en toute fin de match !
Le résumé > https://t.co/kc7bS0HjbO pic.twitter.com/6RWRtl4DZQ
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) November 4, 2023
Premiership
– Springbok flyhalf Robert du Preez captained Sale Sharks from outside centre, leading them to a 24-10 win over Gloucester. Tighthead prop Nic Schonert, lock Cobus Wiese and No 8 Dan du Preez also started for Sale, who climbed to third with their third win in four games.
– Springbok prop Thomas du Toit scored a third try in four games for Bath, but Johann van Graan‘s team fell to a 24-18 loss to Northampton Saints. Former Stormers No 8 Jaco Coetzee and former Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder joined tighthead Du Toit in Bath’s starting XV.
Thomas du Toit has now scored three tries in 3 games for @BathRugby
Mr consistent 🔥 #SaffasAbroad
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) November 4, 2023
– Wing Tyrone Green got amongst the scorers with a stunning effort as Harlequins thrashed Newcastle Falcons 40-12. The former Lions speedster produced an incredible dive to get on the end of a crossfield kick and score in the corner for Harlequins’ sixth try of the match, as the London club claimed a third-stright win to climb to second on the log.
The best thing you’ll see this weekend 😍
Tyrone, take a bow 👏#COYQ pic.twitter.com/7epbLLho51
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) November 5, 2023
– Boosted by the return of a plethora of England internationals, Saracens claimed a bonus-point 32-17 win over Leicester Tigers. Ivan van Zyl played off the bench for Saracens, while struggling Leicester, who have won just one of their opening four matches – had Hanro Liebenberg at flank.
– Exeter Chiefs climbed to the top of the Premiership table by beating Bristol Bears 29-20. Jacques Vermeulen was at flank for Exeter, while Bristol had Benhard Janse van Rensburg at inside centre.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images