Saffas Abroad: Kolbe back with a bang

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There was good news for the Springboks and their end-of-year tour prospects as Cheslin Kolbe made an immediate impact on his return from injury.

French Top 14

– Cheslin Kolbe dotted down 115 seconds into his return from injury to help Toulon hammer Brive 47-0 on Saturday.

Kolbe, who had been out since mid-July with a fractured jaw, scored in the second minute as the three-time European champions move up to second place, one point behind leaders Toulouse.

The 28-year-old came through unscathed, despite landing on his head after being obstructed in the air, an incident which reduced Brive to 14 men with a red card.

Tighthead prop Marcel van der Merwe started for Brive.

– Toulouse further entrenched their place at the top of the table with a 46-10 bonus-point victory over Clermont.

Bok flank Rynhardt Elstadt started for Toulouse and faced off against fellow South African Jaco van Tonder, who was on the flank for sixth-placed Clermont.

– Newly promoted Bayonne continued their dream return to the Top 14 by beating European title-holders La Rochelle 29-13.

Uzair Cassiem was at No 8 for Bayonne, who have also beaten Racing 92 and Bordeaux this season. Dillyn Leyds started at fullback for La Rochelle and kicked a penalty in the first half.

– Trevor Nyakane enjoyed a successful return from international action by helping Racing 92 win 26-13 against Pau.

Springbok teammate Warrick Gelant was at fullback for Racing, who bounced back after two successive losses.

– Former Junior Springbok lock JJ van der Mescht scored a brace of tries as Stade Francais thrashed 14-man Perpignan 52-3.

Van der Mescht was one of four South Africans on the bench for Stade, including tighthead prop Nemo Roelofse, scrumhalf James Hall and centre Jeremy Ward.

– Cobus Reinach scored a try for Montpellier, but could not prevent his side from slipping to a 26-13 loss to Castres.

Lock Ryno Pieterse sprinted clear to dot down in the opening five minutes for Castres.

Premiership

– Ivan van Zyl continued his excellent form as Saracens stayed top of the Premiership by holding out for a 34-14 win over Newcastle Falcons, despite being reduced to 14 men in the second half.

Flyhalf Tian Schoeman and lock Sebastian de Chaves played for Newcastle.

– Sale Sharks briefly went top of the table on Saturday afternoon with a come-from-behind 26-16 bonus point win over Leicester Tigers.

Flyhalf Robert du Preez scored a try for Sale and slotted three conversions for a haul of 11 points, while he also beat three defenders and made a linebreak. No 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, flank Jono Ross, lock Cobus Wiese, hooker Akker van der Merwe and prop Coenie Oosthuizen were also in action for Sale.

Jasper Wiese scored Leicester’s only try of the match. Tigers captain Hanro Liebenberg made 13 tackles.

– Courtnall Skosan scored the winning try for Northampton Saints in a thrilling 40-36 victory over Wasps.

Lock Dave Ribbans and No 8 Juarno Augustus started for the Saints.

– Gloucester Rugby edged the West Country derby against Bath as they came away with a 21-17 win at the Rec.

Ruan Ackermann started at flank for Gloucester, but was one of four players yellow-carded in the match. Ackermann made a massive effort on defence with 22 tackles and three turnovers won.

Lock Quinn Roux, scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and prop Juan Schoeman started for Bath.

– Former Sharks second rower Ruben van Heerden was among the try-scorers as Exeter Chiefs powered to a 50-14 win away to Bristol Bears.

Flank Jacques Vermeulen and lock Jannes Kirsten both started for Exeter.

Photo: Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images

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