Duane Vermeulen’s Ulster and Trevor Nyakane’s Racing 92 were victorious, while Faf de Klerk’s Sale Sharks and Damian de Allende’s Munster suffered defeat in the European Champions Cup on Saturday.
Champions Cup
Willemse drop goal puts Stormers in pole position
Vermeulen started at No 8 and played the full match as Ulster beat 14-man Toulouse 26-20 at Le Stadium. Hookers Rob Herring and Brad Roberts also played for Ulster.
Springbok flank Rynhardt Elstadt played 58 minutes for Toulouse.
Bosch singing in the rain as Sharks maul Lions
The Du Preez brothers, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, locks Lood de Jager and Cobus Wiese, tighthead prop Nic Schonert and hooker Akker van der Merwe all started for Sale Sharks in a 10-9 loss to Bristol Bears.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg played 30 minutes off the bench for the Jono Ross-led Sale.
Powell: Blitzboks beat themselves in record-ending loss
Raymond Rhule scored a try to help La Rochelle beat French rivals Bordeaux 31-13 in the first-ever European clash between the two teams.
Tshituka ‘fighting’ for chance to be a Bok
Jacques Vermeulen‘s first-half try proved the difference as Exeter Chiefs claimed a 13-8 win over Johann van Graan‘s Munster.
Damian de Allende and locks Jean Kleyn and Jason Jenkins all played for Munster.
Bok tighthead Trevor Nyakane played 58 minutes as Racing 92 edged Stade Francais 22-9 in a Parisian derby.
Scrumhalf James Hall made a return from injury off the bench for Stade Francais.
Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked two penalties in his first appearance of the year for Montpellier in the 40-26 win over Harlequins. Pollard played 20 minutes off the bench in his return from injury.
Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach scored a try for Montpellier in an excellent first-half performance, before he was substituted at half time.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen had a mixed outing for Harlequins as he was yellow-carded in the first half, but scored a try in the second half.
Bok No 8 Jasper Wiese was in action for Leicester Tigers as the English side beat Clermont 29-10 despite being reduced to 14 men.
Former Vodacom Bulls players Hanro Liebenberg and Eli Snyman both also played for Leicester.
Japan League One
Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am scored his first try for Kobe Steel in the 57-28 win over Green Rockets. Former Stormers lock JD Schickerling started for Kobe.
LUKAAAAAAANYO ?
Am crosses over the line for @kobe_steelers in the 80th minute.#SaffasAbroad | #LeagueOne pic.twitter.com/bR2H7p9mnC
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) April 10, 2022
Johan Ackermann‘sRed Hurricanes was on the end of another heavy loss, this time being handed a 42-3 defeat by Suntory Sungoliath. Captain and hooker Franco Marais, locks Tyler Paul and Ruan Vermaak and scrumhalf Tian Meyer all started for Red Hurricanes.
SP Marais scored 15 points to help Canon Eagles beat Kubota Spears 30-21. Flank Kobus van Dyk and Bok centre Jesse Kriel both started for the Eagles, while fullback Gerhard van den Heever and locks Ruan Botha and David Bulbring played for Spears.
Springbok flank Kwagga Smith scored a hat-trick of tries as Blue Revs beat Black Rams 45-19.
Springbok pair Pieter-Steph du Toit and Willie le Roux started for Toyota Verblitz, who suffered a 53-21 loss to Brave Lupus.
