SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend’s French Top 14 matches involving South African players.
– La Rochelle secured a comfortable 28-13 victory over a 14-man Toulouse side, during which Werner Kok was sent off for leading with the elbow in an attempted tackle. Flank Wiaan Liebenberg started and scored a try for La Rochelle. Kok was joined by compatriots Jaco Visagie (hooker), Maks van Dyk (prop) and Rynhardt Elstadt (flank) in the Toulouse lineup, who have now dropped to 12th spot.
– Lyon ran in nine unanswered tries to thrash Brive 59-3 at home. The winners and log leaders had locks Hendrik Roodt and Etienne Oosthuizen in their ranks. Lock Jan Uys featured for Brive off the bench.
– Centre Rob Ebersohn, scrumhalf Rory Kockott and hooker Jody Jenneker were in the Castres team that slumped to a 27-17 defeat by Bayonne. Kockott kicked a penalty and conversion for his team. Utility back Sean Robinson started at outside centre for Bayonne, who moved up to fifth on the table.
– Prop Lourens Adriaanse and his Pau teammates continued their good start to the season with a 37-28 victory over hosts Clermont. Both sides conceded a yellow card late in the game, but Pau outscored Clermont four tries to three.
– A Montpellier side, featuring prop Lizo Gqoboka, locks Jacques du Plessis and Paul Willemse and fullback Henry Immelman, suffered a 29-10 defeat by Agen. Club veteran Johann Sadie had a solid game at outside centre for Agen.
– Bordeaux overpowered the struggling Stade Français 52-3 at home. Lionel Mapoe was at inside centre for Stade, with Josh Strauss playing No 8 and Carlü Sadie at tighthead prop. Bordeaux are now second in the standings and Stade second last.
– In the game of the weekend, Toulon edged bitter rivals Racing 32-29 in a riveting clash at Stade Mayol. Former Springbok prop Marcel van der Merwe started for and anchored Toulon’s scrum, despite being yellow-carded in the 48th minute for foul play.
Photo: Eddy Lemaistre/Getty Images
