Shaun Goosen looks back at the rugby weekend that was. There was a mixed bag of results for South Africa’s URC sides while Handre Pollard’s fine performance couldn’t inspire the Tigers to victory over Quins.
URC R4: Lions, Bulls lead the SA charge up north; Welsh outfits continue to struggle
The Lions and Bulls claimed great wins while the Sharks and Stormers lost out in round four on the weekend. Cash van Rooyen’s charges have a late try to thank for their exciting 24-23 win over Scarlets in Llanelli, with Henco van Wyk’s five-pointer, converted by Sanele Nohamba, stealing a valuable win on the road and their first this season.
Where were you when this happened? 🔥#SCAvsLIO @vodacom #URC #UnitedWeRise #LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/7Wv5WrRyaM
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 13, 2023
Meanwhile, in Cardiff, Jake White’s boys earned a hard-fought 18-12 result as they remain top of the standings on 15-points.
At the Stadio Communale, the Stormers were undone 17-20 by what is fast becoming a formidable Benetton outfit, with the Capetonians now nil from two on tour. South Africa’s other coastal side, the Sharks, were also defeated in Italy after Zebre claimed their first win since April 2022 in a 12-10 victory at the Sergio Lanfranchi. With John Plumtree’s men still winless after four games and rooted to the bottom of the log, the Durbanites will be under huge pressure to beat Connacht at home in the next round.
Elsewhere, hosts Ulster beat bitter rivals Munster 21-14 in a blockbuster, Glasgow won 31-23 against Ospreys in Swansea, Edinburgh edged past Connacht 25-22 at the DAM Health and Leinster overpowered Dragons 33-10 at Rodney Parade on Sunday to ensure the Welsh sides finished the weekend winless.
Team 👊 pic.twitter.com/JoB1c77ABt
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) November 11, 2023
Gallagher Prem R5: Comfortable wins for Sarries, Bath
Bath put their two-game losing run behind them in emphatic fashion, running in six tries to record a resounding 45-27 win over Gloucester at the Kingsholm, with the Cherry and Whites now occupying eighth and the men from The Rec sitting third.
Title challengers Saracens, who have experienced an indifferent start to their campaign, saw off the challenge of Newcastle at Kingston Park, winning 50-12 with the Falcons yet to earn their first victory of the season. Mark McCall’s side are sixth and Newcastle are bottom.
Elsewhere, a great performance from Handre Pollard wasn’t enough for ninth-placed Leicester Tigers, who were beaten 25-29 at Welford Road by Harlequins. Sale Sharks claimed an important 27-13 win over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate and Northampton held off Exeter 34-19 at Franklin’s Gardens.
A nice little assist from Handre Pollard on his return to the Premiership. 🙌#GallagherPrem #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/PFzUJkFMmA
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 11, 2023
