Saffas abroad
20 Sep 2009
Keo.co.za looks at the South African players who shone in European club action this past weekend.
In the Premiership, Saracens’ Derick Hougaard, who has had to be content with appearances off the wood since his move from Leicester, scored two drops to go with three penalties, as well as the conversion of Kameli Ratuvou’s try as they ran out 22-9 winners over Harlequins. The victory took the Saffa-laden Saracens joint-top of the Premiership table.
Springbok tighthead prop Faan Rautenbach scrummed powerfully in London Irish’s emphatic 56-7 victory over Leeds. Scott Mathie, the former Shark, was on the losing side, making an appearance off the bench. Wasps beat Worcester 23-3 in Sunday’s other fixture.
In the French Top 14, Brent Russell and Willie Wepener both scored for Clermont in their 40-8 demolition of Albi. The versatile Russell is being utilised as a wing and has impressed in recent weeks. The match also featured the return from injury of Springbok centre Marius Joubert, who last played just before last season’s Top 14 play-offs.
Joe van Niekerk’s Toulon downed title hopefuls Toulouse via the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked three penalties and three drop goals to see Toulon finishing 18-13 winners.
However, in other results, Racing Metro will be hoping their new arrival Frans Steyn will help turn their fortunes around after they suffered their fourth successive defeat, losing 9-6 to Castres. Steyn arrived in Paris this week and is likely to start against Montpellier on Saturday.
25 Comments
20 Sep 2009, 20:30 pm
some of our super 14 squads would be so stronger with these okes
20 Sep 2009, 20:34 pm
Nice to see Toulon winning again
20 Sep 2009, 20:37 pm
Wish someone would buy Spies, we’d take R5 for him….
20 Sep 2009, 20:52 pm
#3
You’re a plonker and a disgrace.
20 Sep 2009, 21:02 pm
Even though they are playing well i doubt if any of them will be missed by the Springbok squad.What worries me will be the loss of Steyn from the squad
20 Sep 2009, 21:11 pm
Wonder will Frans Steyn be playing French second division rugby next season like Victor in ’08. Racing Metro aren’t looking good at all.
I watched the Toulon/Toulouse game, it was in front of 60,000 at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Joe Van Niekerk, Rory Lamont and Jonny Wilkinson had very strong games. Toulouse has most of the France team and some Argies so this was a big win.
20 Sep 2009, 22:10 pm
#3 Spies is a plonker and a disgrace: There is only 1 player worth less than Spies, and that is the Watson plonker. Bath had to fork out R3 for the loser.
20 Sep 2009, 22:11 pm
#6 Big Hit: Will we see Jonny play for England in the EOYT?
20 Sep 2009, 22:19 pm
Watched Toulon v Toulouse – what an intensity in that game, test match stuff at times.
Apart from those that ‘Big Hit’ mentioned I thought that Daan Human looked pretty good and Skeate absolutely bossed the lineouts.
Have Toulon finally got over all the hype and now justifying all those big bucks have been spent?
20 Sep 2009, 22:34 pm
#7 That I agree with. Bath can have him.
20 Sep 2009, 23:13 pm
#4 WP_: I second that , what a idiot !! Spies is our best number 8 and I am a WP supporter
20 Sep 2009, 23:32 pm
Spies is a good no.8 and one heck of an inspiration. He can only get better but the competition is healthy as it makes both Kanko and Spies strive to play better. That moron posting bs is just another troll. This blog seems to have a knack for them. Besides that, i’m really glad for big Joe, making a strong statement as usual
20 Sep 2009, 23:43 pm
#8 kwas: if fit, he’s nailed on to start.
21 Sep 2009, 01:36 am
#3 Spies is a plonker and a disgrace: you’re a doos.
21 Sep 2009, 01:59 am
#13 Big Hit: Fantastic, looking forward to seeing the maestro in action.
21 Sep 2009, 03:07 am
Notwithstanding F Steyn playing in France he will play for the Boks. Can’t see it any other way.
His time in France will only improve him as a player.
21 Sep 2009, 07:34 am
#3 Spies is a plonker and a disgrace: Just maybe we could understand your logic if you explain why Spies is no good. I am also a Province supporter and believe there is no one in SA at nr.8 that can touch him for workrate, speed and defence. Kanko is a close 2nd but not quite the class of Spies.
21 Sep 2009, 12:13 pm
Honkie – being a Province supporter says it all Spies size is the only thing that’s better then Kanko , in case you have’nt noticed SPies’s defence is one of the worst in the bok team for a bloke of his size he sure does slip lot’s of tackles .
21 Sep 2009, 12:17 pm
#18 gman: Open you eyes when you watch rugby mate, Spies is a great defender. Did you not notice how many covering tackles he made in the Tri Nations??
21 Sep 2009, 12:19 pm
Saffas are playing good for there overseas clubs , soon these clubs will be eyeing our youngsters.
21 Sep 2009, 12:22 pm
IMO Spies is overrated. Sure, he does have the size & athleticism to make any WWE wrestler envious but I dont think he has performed accordingly. He has done a good job at No 8 for the boks but not a great job.
All the hype in Europe before the Lions tour was about this amazing Bok No 8 who is a freak of nature & will be the most feared player blah blah blah. He did a solid job vs the Lions but believe me, by time the 2nd test came the Lions were alot more worried about other players in the SA camp.
I think he should get a run at wing.
21 Sep 2009, 12:29 pm
Oh look another Province supporter you must be cuntfused during the lions and the tri nations I saw lot’s of slipped tackles …if anyone was covering it was ‘Juan or schalk buddy
21 Sep 2009, 12:30 pm
confused
21 Sep 2009, 17:56 pm
#21 HangkasHarry:
I agree….he is a really good player, but i guess i am just expecting much more from him. We have had some truely great 8′s and he is not living up to them i am afraid. Pottie and Vermuelen are the one to watch out for
23 Sep 2009, 07:27 am
#3 Spies is a plonker and a disgrace: I have to agree with WP, you are a plonker in disgrace.
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