Handre Pollard, Rob du Preez and Damian de Allende were in the points at the weekend as South Africa’s foreign legion impressed across Europe and Japan.
English Premiership:
Handre Pollard and former Bulls flanker Hanro Liebenberg ran out for the Leicester Tigers in their 44-34 win against the Sale Sharks. Pollard starred with the boot, adding 19 points from the tee. Five South Africans featured for the Sharks including flyhalf Rob du Preez who bagged a brace of tries, supported by brothers Jean-Luc and Dan. Lock Ernst van Rhyn started in the pack, while former Sharks lock Hyron Andrews made an appearance off the bench.
Rob Du Preez sets up a grandstand finish! 😱#GallagherPrem | #LEIvSAL pic.twitter.com/3jf5lLWWg2
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 9, 2025
Scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl’s Saracens stormed to a 75-28 win against the Newcastle Falcons. Former SAU20 lock Sebastian de Chaves and prop Luan de Bruin featured for the Falcons.
That’s one way to celebrate your @lionsofficial call-up 🦁@BenEarlba crosses the whitewash for @Saracens 💪
Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #SARvNEW pic.twitter.com/F46RghkqDO
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 10, 2025
Benhard Janse van Rensburg was sent to the sin bin in the Bristol Bears’ 36-14 victory over Johann van Graan’s Bath. Former Stormers scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and prop Frans van Wyk started for the visitors.
Has this Ewan Richards try given @BathRugby fresh hope in Cardiff!? 😤
Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #BRIvBAT pic.twitter.com/Zx6mAEjhVn
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 10, 2025
Three South Africans played a part in Harlequins’ 38-19 win against Gloucester, with Ivan Herbst scumming down at lock and Tyrone Green running at fullback, while Former sharks prop Jordan Els made an impact off the bench. For Gloucester, former Lions bruiser Ruan Ackermann started at No 8.
Tyrone Green’s offload sends Rodrigo Isgro over the whitewash ✨
Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #HARvGLO pic.twitter.com/4iUCrubK7S
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 10, 2025
An Exeter Chiefs team that included Jacques Vermeulen and Kwenzo Blose hammered a second-string Northampton Saints 41-14.
Paul Brown-Bampoe can’t stop scoring! 😤#Gallagherprem pic.twitter.com/RQymQ9msKx
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 11, 2025
Top 14:
Former Stormers speedster Dillyn Leyds started on the wing for La Rochelle in a tight 30-29 victory over Vannes.
Bok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach featured for Montpellier in a 46-27 victory over Bordeaux at the GGL Stadium. Nico Janse van Rensburg joined Reinach off the bench while Tiaan Jacobs started at flank for Bordeaux.
Former SAU20 scrumhalf James Hall started alongside Jaco van Tonder for Perpignan as they edge Stade Francais 20-18. Fullback Joe Jonas and former Sharks centre Jeremy Ward ran out for the Parisians.
Japan League One:
Former Lions lock Lourens Erasmus packed down for Urayasu D-Rocks in a 34-21 win against the Dynaboars. Khuta Mchunu and former Cheetahs flanker Friedle Olivier started in the Dynaboars scrum.
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel crossed the whitewash for the Canon Eagles in a 49-28 reverse to Brave Lupus. Brendan Owen joined Kriel off the Eagles’ bench.
Bok duo Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende each powered over the line for the Wild Knights to smash Cheslin Kolbe‘s Suntory Sungoliath 60-17 in Kumagaya. Kolbe added seven points from the tee.
Kwagga Smith captained the Blue Revs to a 29-23 away victory against Kobe Steel. Sylvian Mahuza was introduced off the bench, while Willie Potgieter was a substitute for Kobe.
Matthys Basson and Jan-Hendrik Swanepoel powered the Honda Heat scrum in their brutal 67-22 defeat to the Black Rams in Tokyo. Former Bulls centre Dawid Kellerman also featured for the Heat as a replacement.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
