Joubert shines for Clermont
15 May 2011
GARETH DUNCAN looks at the Saffas who impressed in Europe over the weekend.
Centre Marius Joubert was the top South African performer in the European league play-offs this weekend, producing an impressive 80-minute performance that contributed to Clermont’s 27-17 comeback victory against Biarritz in the French Top 14 semi-final qualifiers. Clermont were 17-6 down at half-time, but gave a strong second-half showing for the win. Joubert, who will join the Sharks at the end of Clermont’s season, will now feature in his team’s semi-final clash against Toulouse on 28 May.
Centre Grant Rees’ Montepellier will square off against utility back Frans Steyn, No 8 Jacques Cronje and lock Francois van der Merwe’s Racing Metro in the other play-off after they edged Castres 18-17 in their qualifier.
In England, tighthead prop Brian Mujati delivered a strong performance up front for Northampton Saints’ in their play-off against Leicester, but his team still lost 11-3. Northampton’s season isn’t over as they will face Leinster in the European Cup final on 21 May.
Leicester will face Saracens in the final after the latter recorded a 12-10 win over Gloucester. Centre Brad Barritt, hooker Schalk Brits, lock Mouritz Botha and Ernst Joubert started for the Watford-based club while scrumhalf Neil de Kock came off the bench.
In the Celtic League, hooker Richardt Strauss and replacement prop Heinke van der Merwe contributed to Leinster’s 18-3 win over Ulster. Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar kicked a 60m penalty in a disappointing overall display from the South African contingent of flanker Pedrie Wannenburg, No 8 Robbie Diack and lock Johann Muller. Replacement looshead prop Wian du Preez did well off the bench in Munster’s 18-11 win over Ospreys.
11 Comments
15 May 2011, 18:50 pm
go joubies!
15 May 2011, 18:52 pm
that ruan pienaar penalty was an absolute monster by all accounts
15 May 2011, 19:13 pm
2.grant10:
You can see it on BBC sport website – rugby union-irish a short highlight of the game.
15 May 2011, 19:22 pm
Damn! Wa so hoping they would lose so Joubert could join the Sharks sooner rather than later
but well done Marius!
16 May 2011, 04:32 am
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-4:
If Adi Jacobs can’t make the team, what makes you think Marius Joubert can?
16 May 2011, 05:17 am
Inside centre is the real problem for the Sharks – can Joubert solve that? I’ve always known him to play outside centre.
16 May 2011, 08:45 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-6: Play Adi at 12 and Joubert at 13
16 May 2011, 08:56 am
If memory serves, isn’t that where they started Adi at 12 and Joubert 13 for the Pumas? This could well be the combo that sets the Sharks alight!!!
16 May 2011, 09:51 am
@Mistral(Mistral)-8: Adi started @ 12 for the Falcons and Joubert @ 13 for Boland…they actually partnered eachother in those positions @ age group level for Soth Africa…
16 May 2011, 11:02 am
@ coherence why else would they have signed him?b play Adi at 12 and joubert at 13 bingo we have a backline again! And if SA rugby is correct and Ruan really does whant to come back to Sharks we will have a backline of
Ruan; Lambie; JP; Adi; Mvovo; Ludik!
16 May 2011, 17:57 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-10: Would be one helluva backline if it pans out.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.