Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe dominated for the Suntory Sungoliath in Japan Rugby League One over the weekend, scoring 28 points with the boot and ball in hand, including two tries.

Japan Rugby League One

The Sungoliath ran out relatively comfortable 43-34 winners over the Black Rams, with Kolbe contributing more than half of the points for his side.

His first try was a glorious solo effort, receiving a weak pass in open play standing in the flyhalf position, Kolbe stepped towards the blindside wing before handing off a defender and chipping the ball through before chasing it down and scoring.

The second came in the dying moments of the match and was crucial in securing the victory for Sungoliath.

It was more of a traditional number 11 try, with the ball flowing down the backline to find Kolbe in space with an overlap, allowing him to easily coast over the line.

In addition to his two tries, Kolbe contributed four penalty goals and three try conversions in his 28 points.

In addition, he made four tackles, six carries, four clean line breaks and made over 120 metres with ball in hand.

There was a safari of South Africans on display in the dramatic 29-29 draw between the Kubota Spears and Saitama Wild Knights, with no fewer than nine Saffas taking part in the match.

Malcolm Marx was the Springbok representative for the Spears and he was accompanied by the likes of Rikus Pretorius, Tyler Paul and David Bulbring who all also started, while Ruan Botha and Merwe Olivier came off the bench.

Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende started for the Wild Knights and were eventually accompanied by Ockie Barnard who came off the bench.

Jesse Kriel played a starring role for the Canon Eagles in their 47-29 thrashing of the Kobe Steelers.

He scored a try and ran for over 80 meters with ball in hand, as well as making several key tackles in midfield.

Franco Mostert also contributed a try for his team over the weekend but it wasn’t enough to help the Honda Heat avoid a 38-30 loss to Toyota Verblitz.

Other South Africans in Japan Rugby League One: Jannes Labuschagne (Canon Eagles), Brendan Owen (Canon Eagles), Adre Smith (Verblitz), Mattys Basson (Heat), Jan-Hendrik Swanepoel (Heat), Khuta Mchunu (Dynaboars), Friedle Olivier (Dynaboars), Walt Steenkamp (Dynaboars)

Champions Cup

Juarno Augustus provided a try assist as Northampton Saints upset RG Snyman’s Leinster 34-37 in the semi-final of the Champions Cup over the weekend.

Augustus made 17 bruising tackles in a huge defensive effort to go along with an assist and also ran for 30 meters in five carries, including one clean line break.

Snyman had a much quieter game for Leinster even though he uncharacteristically played the full 80 minutes for the Irish outfit.

He only made eight metres in eight carries while he also missed two crucial tackles.

Challenge Cup

Arno Botha started at eighth man and put in a big shift for Lyon, before being subbed off shortly after half time, in their 29-15 Challenge Cup semi-final win over Racing 92.

The loose forward burned through his tank making five tackles and ran for over 36 meters in 11 carries and was replaced by Maxime Gouzou eight minutes into the second half to introduce fresh legs into the pack.

Thomas du Toit was deployed off the bench by Bath in the other semi-final as they beat Edinburgh 39-23 to book their place in the tournament-deciding match next weekend.

Other South Africans in the EPCR Challenge Cup: Johann van Graan (Bath), Louis Schreuder (Bath), Boan Venter (Edinburgh)

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