Saffas Abroad: Du Toit shines for Bath, Boks score in Japan
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Two quick-fire tries by tank Thomas du Toit helped Bath clinch a convincing win over Clermont in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday, while his Springbok teammates shone in Japan's League One.
Champions Cup
Du Toit was named man of the match for his brace in another dominant display as Bath beat Clermont 40-21 at the Rec. Loosehead prop Francois van Wyk and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder came off the bench for Johann van Graan’s English Premiership side.
Former Stormers Hacjivah Dayimani and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, who scored a late try, also played off the wood for Racing 92 in a 29-19 defeat at Glasgow Warriors as they remain bottom of Pool 4 with one round to go – a showdown against the Stormers in Paris.
Sale's South African contingent endured a forgettable return to the Republic as they were thumped 40-0 by the Stormers in Cape Town. Flyhalf Rob du Preez captained Sale while Ernst van Rhyn and Hyron Andrews partnered at lock, and they were joined by twin bruisers Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez.
Jacques Vermeulen's Exeter conceded 60 points for the second time at home in the pool stage as they were humiliated 69-17 by Top 14 leaders Bordeaux at Sandy Park. The Chiefs now face a shootout with Ulster next week to determine who will drop down to the Challenge Cup playoffs. Tighthead prop Carlu Sadie and centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg started for Bordeaux.
Former Sharks loosehead Dian Bleuler scored a crucial try as Munster claimed a famous 17-12 win over Saracens at Thomond Park. Former Bulls scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl featured for Saracens.
Lock JJ van der Mescht scored the second try for Stade Francais in a high-scoring 45-35 win over Northampton Saints in Paris as the French club overcame an early 21-0 deficit to lift themselves off the bottom of Pool 3. Glenwood old boy Joe Jonas started at fullback for Stade Francais.
Bok flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked two conversions for Leicester Tigers in a comfortable six-try, 38-10 home win over Ulster. Winger Werner Kok started on the right wing for the Irish side.
Tyrone Green started at fullback for Harlequins in the 33-21 loss against Toulon at the Stade Mayol. Simon Kerrod came off the bench for Quins in the second period.
Former Sharks fullback Rhyno Smith scored a try in vain as Benetton side went down 35-29 at Bristol Bears.
Former Stormers playmaker Dillyn Leyds scored a superb solo try for La Rochelle in a 16-14 home defeat to Leinster in a top of the table clash in Pool 2. Bok lock RG Snyman came on for the last 35 minutes for Leinster, replacing Ireland international Joe McCarthy.
Challenge Cup
Former Lions loose forward Ruan Ackermann featured in Gloucester's 31-7 win over Scarlets at Kingsholm. Hooker Marnus van der Merwe started for Scarlets, while Jarrod Tylor coming on for the Welsh outfit in the second half.
Marvin Orie started for Perpignan as they beat Cardiff 23-20 to keep their play-off hopes alive. Flyhalf Tinus de Beer kicked ten points and reserve scrumhalf Johan Mulder scored a try for Cardiff.
Pieter Scholtz started for Bayonne at tighthead prop in a comfortable 41-16 away win over Black Lion.
Prop Tom Botha and winger Dan Kasende both started for Ospreys in their 35-14 win over Newcastle Falcons. Centre Evardi Boshoff came off the bench for the Welsh team. Loose forward Philip van der Walt captained the Flacons who are still pointless in the competition after three rounds.
Former Sharks hooker Dan Jooste played off the wood, scoring a try to help Pau beat Dragons 24-15.
Japan League One
Jasper Wiese skippered Urayasu D-Rocks to a 22-14 reverse against Toshiba Brave Lupus. Lourens Erasmus started at lock for the D-Rocks who have yet to taste victory after four rounds.
Five South Africans featured in a try-fest as Canon Eagles beat Shizuoka Blue Revs 53-35. Jesse Kriel scored a brace for the Eagles, and he was joined in the starting lineup by Faf de Klerk. Kwagga Smith captained the Blue Revs and scored their first try. Smith started alongside Sylvain Mahuza and Damian Markus.
Cheslin Kolbe scored for Suntory Sungoliath in a 26-26 draw with Kubota Spears. David Bulbring and Tyler Paul featured in the pack for the Spears, while former Stormers centre Rikus Pretorius started in midfield.
Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a brace and former Bulls lock Walt Steenkamp crossed the whitewash as the Mitsubishi Dynaboars won 34-26 against Kobe Steel. Loose forward Willie Potgieter scored late on for Kobe.
Damian de Allende scored a try as his table-topping Wild Knights got the better of Springbok teammate Franco Mostert's Honda Heat, winning 48-24.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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