SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the South African players who featured for their respective clubs in the French Top 14 this past weekend.
– Montpellier, with Jan Serfontein, Cobus Reinach and Paul Willemse in their ranks, knocked over three late penalty kicks to stun Clermont 22-16. Hooker Reinach Venter and South African-born Japan international Kotaro Matsushima were on duty for Clermont, who remain in the top four despite the result.
Jan Serfontein v Clermont 📊
8️⃣0️⃣ Minutes ⏰
0️⃣8️⃣ Tackles 👊
0️⃣3️⃣ Missed tackles ✖️
0️⃣3️⃣ Passes ✋
0️⃣8️⃣ Carries 🏃♂️
0️⃣2️⃣ Defenders beaten 💨
0️⃣2️⃣ Clean breaks 🔥
5️⃣5️⃣ Running metres 😤
0️⃣1️⃣ Try Assist 😎#TOP14 | #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/ur591voT3I— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 8, 2021
Jan Serfontein makes @midi_olympique’s Team of the week #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/OJYhoUSDTa
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 8, 2021
– Scrumhalf James Hall was part of the 14-man Stade Français side that hammered Agen 40-21 in Paris. The hosts conceded a red card in the 16th minute, but still managed to outscore Agen six tries to three.
– Rory Kockott contributed a long-range penalty in Castres’ hard-fought 22-15 win over title-contenders La Rochelle. Lock Ryno Pieterse was one of Castres’ unused subs. Flank Wiaan Liebenberg and centre Raymond Rule started for La Rochelle.
– Lock Jandre Marais and his Bordeaux teammates outlasted prop Lourens Adriaanse‘s Pau to clinch a 29-23 win at home. The win kept Bordeaux in fifth position in the standings.
– Toulouse continued on their winning ways with a 42-17 thrashing of Brive to maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the table. Fullback Cheslin Kolbe was in mesmerising form again, making several linebreaks to get Toulouse on the front foot. Retief Marais played flank for the struggling Brive.
Cheslin Kolbe v Brive 📊
6️⃣7️⃣ Minutes ⏰
0️⃣2️⃣ Tackles 👊
0️⃣1️⃣ Missed tackle ✖️
0️⃣3️⃣ Passes ✋
0️⃣1️⃣ Offload 👌
0️⃣8️⃣ Carries 🏃♂️
0️⃣3️⃣ Defenders beaten 🔥
5️⃣2️⃣ Running metres 😮#TOP14 | #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/KCISalSue3— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 8, 2021
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 8, 2021
– Lyon inflicted a 28-20 defeat on Bayonne. Replacement flyhalf Sean Robinson was on duty for Bayonne from the 47th minute.
– Toulon beat Racing 25-21 at home in an ill-disciplined contest which produced three yellow cards. FC du Plessis, playing wing this week, continued his smooth transition into the Toulon senior team with another superb individual performance. Lock Bernard le Roux turned out for Racing.
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FC du Plessis has got some jet shoes! Sadly foot in touch as he scored but he has wheels. Was he quick at Grey College?
— Adrian Slabbert (@adrian_slabbert) March 6, 2021
Photo: Toulon Rugby
