We round up the weekend’s rugby action which included Perth Sevens action, the Lions nearly outdoing the Bulls in the URC in Pretoria and some significant results from round 12 of the Gallagher Premiership.
Perth Sevens: SA claims fifth place
The Blitzboks finished fifth in Perth on the weekend after defeating France 24-5 to drop down to third on the overall Sevens standings. Sandile Ngcobo’s men fell to Fiji in the Cup quarter-finals, but it was Argentina who came away with the title following a comfortable 45-12 defeat of Australia in the final. The South Americans (58 points) have now opened up a 14-point gap at the summit of the overall standings ahead of second-placed Fiji.
In the women’s division, hosts Australia were crowned champions after beating France 29-26 in the cup final with South Africa losing their 11th-place playoff to Spain 7-21. It is the Australians who continue to lead the way on the overall women’s rankings on 58 points with New Zealand (46 points) second and France (44) third. SA are 11th with seven points.
Selvyn Davids scores four tries in Perth as the @Blitzboks finish in 5th place 🏉
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 28, 2024
Bryan Habana with some words of praise for his fellow countryman 👇#HSBCSVNSPER | #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/oKtM3QL2sG
URC R9: Bulls pip Lions in trans-Jukskei thriller
In the weekend’s sole URC encounter at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls secured a dramatic 30-28 victory over the Lions on Saturday. In a classic SA derby full of physicality and niggle, the hosts hung on despite the brilliance of Sanele Nohamba. The former Hollywoodbets Sharks man was in a league of his own in the red No 10 jumper and central to everything the Joburgers did well on the day. If he continues to play like he is there’s no doubt he’ll be in line for a Springbok recall later this year.
The result saw the Bulls go fourth ahead of the two-week competition break, while the Lions went 10th.
Another week, another Sanele Nohamba show 🦁
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 29, 2024
Although the Emirates Lions lost this weekend, the flyhalf put in another brilliant performance.
Putting his hand up for a Springbok call-up? 👀 pic.twitter.com/5SrvkCzhGF
Gallagher Prem R12: Bath, Tigers and Sale lose out
Bristol Bears dealt Bath a 57-44 defeat at Ashton Gate in a 14-try thriller on Saturday in a result that now sees Johann van Graan’s boys level on points with second-placed Harlequins (37) in third. ‘Quins themselves were beaten by a resurgent Leicester outfit 19-20 at the Stoop, with Tigers (sixth) continuing their climb up the table.
Elsewhere, leaders Northampton Saints beat Newcastle 38-13 at Franklin’s Gardens, fourth-placed Saracens inflicted a 40-22 defeat on Exeter Chiefs at the StoneX and Gloucester bagged their first win since October in a 32-20 win over stuttering Sale at the Kingsholm.
The skipper always delivers 📦🫡
— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) January 29, 2024
Still buzzing from Super Saturday at the Gate? 😅 pic.twitter.com/BFBYATiLIr
