Saffas abroad
Keo.co.za looks at the South Africans who have performed in European club action over the past weekend.
Toulon, who were missing captain Joe van Niekerk through injury, registered an impressive victory over Stade Francais on Friday to elevate themselves into fourth position on the Top 14 log.
Ross Skeate continues to impress at lock, and is now building a reputation as one of the best in France. Stade scrumhalf Noel Oelschig struggled behind a new-look pack.
Castres stretched their lead at the top of the Top 14 table to five points with a 34-6 win over Biarritz. Former Cheetahs flank Daren Nell gave a strong showing of the bench for Castres, while Biarritz’s former Sharks prop Eduard Coetzee failed to have a telling impact at scrum time or in general play.
Frans Steyn, playing at inside centre for Racing Metro, hardly saw any ball in their forward-orientated 9-6 win against Albi. Racing No 8 Jacque Cronjé mixed the good with the ordinary, while lock Francois van der Merwe was solid without being exceptional.
Shaun Sowerby was in good form for Toulouse in their 17-12 win against Montauban, but prop Daan Human continues to play off the wood following a series of indifferent performances in the early part of the season.
Brive’s South African duo of Antonie Claassen and Gerhard Vosloo were excellent in their team’s 25-7 demolition of Montpellier. Eugene van Staden, Jacques Schutte and Danie Thiart all played off the bench for Montpellier.
In Premiership action, the Saffa-laden Saracens were held to a 12-all draw against Worcester, Derick Hougaard kicking all his side’s points.
Bath scrumhalf Michael Claassens could do nothing about his side’s impotence and they fell 16-0 to Wasps. Scott Mathie and Marco Wentzel were in the Leeds side whipped 39-6 by Leicester, while Juandré Kruger’s Northampton eased to a 28-8 victory against Newcastle, who continue to use Gcobani Bobo as an impact player.
November 29th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
make these saffas eligible!
November 29th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
“… but prop Daan Human continues to play off the wood following a series of indifferent performances in the early part of the season.”
This is the very same Daan Human some keo.co.za reporters were demanding to be selected for the Boks right? Rather not select him PDV!
I think Frans Steyn was short-cited when he signed a contract to play for Racing Metro. JDV was going to ply his trade in Europe eventually, and he would have been our inside centre now.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I dont see mention of Sam Gerber – the guy plays at 12 in the Top 14. He was phenomenal in a recent highlight package I saw of the Top 14.
Two inside centers playing over here: Barrit and Gerber. In the problem position of 12. What position does Ebersohn play – he could be good for the Boks at 12.
A lot of English people believe Barrit will play for England soon, so a talent lost to the Boks.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:36 am
These are just the Saffas that play in france correct ??
i wanted to build a Saffas side out of France then a side from B.I. (british isle ).Could probably find enough coaches aswell…..
November 30th, 2009 at 8:44 am
According to Timesonline Luke Watson was the best Bath player in there lose to London Irish, no mention of this here?
November 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
@Mbhubesi: Huh. Can’t remember him ever being mentioned, but I agree. He failed here, and now there.
Poor Claassens chose poorly when he went to Bath. It seems he’s every week the standout player for them… and seemingly the only player on the field! Isn’t Luke playing there?
November 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
So lets see….
1. Daan Human/ Eduard Coetzee
2. Etienne Reyneke/ Schalk Brits
3. BJ Botha/ CJ Van der Linde/ Danie Thiart
4. Frans Van der Merve/ Marco Wentzel
5. Ross Skeate
6. Antonie Claasen/ Luke Watson
7. Gerhard Vosloo/ Daryn Nell
8. Shaun Sowerby/ Jacques Cronje/ J Van Niekerk
9. Michael Classens/ Scott Mathie/ Noel Olchig
10. Butch James/ Derick Hougaard
11.
12. Jean De Villiers/ Brad Barritt
13. Gcobani Bobo
14.
15. Frans Steyn
Who else? Fill in the blanks.