Fullback Dillyn Leyds produced a dominant display from the back to guide La Rochelle to a 26-11 victory over Bordeaux in round 20 of the French Top 14 this past weekend.
Ten-time-capped Springbok Leyds last played four weeks ago, but marked his return from injury with a superb individual performance in a win that takes his team up to second on the log with six rounds of action remaining.
The 28-year-old, who played fullback in this match, made 69 run metres from a total of six ball carries, beat one defender, made one clean break, completed six passes, had a 100% tackle success rate and scored a crucial try to account for one of the best all-round performance over the weekend.
Leyds last played for the Boks in the 2019 Rugby Championship and as it stands he is not in contention for a spot in coach Jacques Nienaber’s squad to front the British & Irish Lions later this year. However, should Leyds continued to churn out these top displays, it would become increasingly difficult to ignore him as a standby player for the Boks during the all-important Lions tour.
Another player who’s been industrious for his side is Jan Serfontein. The centre didn’t disappoint when he helped Montpellier to a 29-16 win over table-topping Toulouse, who were at full strength for this clash. Over the 80 minutes he played, the 27-year-old made nine tackles (100% success rate), two turnovers, 48 run metres from seven carries, beat three defenders, made one clean break and went for a vital try.
Despite Toulouse being on the wrong end of the result, fullback Cheslin Kolbe completely overshadowed his opposite number, Johan Goosen, who donned the No 15 jersey for the winning team. Kolbe didn’t fire on all cylinders, but having made six tackles, one turnover, 11 carries, 70 run metres, one clean break and beating eight defenders, he came out on top in his battle with fellow Springbok Goosen.
Meanwhile, Springbok Eben Etzebeth played flank for Toulon in their 54-16 defeat by Lyon. It wasn’t Etzebeth’s best game, but he played until the final whistle.
Photo: Top 14
