RUGBY WRAP: World Cup title continues to elude Blitzboks; Chiefs edge Tigers and Top 14 round two action

Blitzboks finish World Cup in seventh

The Springbok Sevens’ World Cup curse continued in Cape Town this weekend, as they were dumped out of the quarterfinals by Ireland; the sixth time they’ve been knocked out at this stage of the competition. A further defeat to Argentina meant they faced Samoa in the seventh/ eighth place playoff where they managed to claim a much-improved 35-5 win to end off Neil Powell’s tenure as head coach on a positive note.

Meanwhile, Fiji bagged a record-equalling third title after defeating New Zealand 29-12 in the Grand Final, while Ireland finished third thanks to a 19-17 defeat of Australia in the Bronze Final. Australia Women beat New Zealand 24-22 in their Grand Final to claim gold, with France winning bronze. The SA Sevens Women finished 14^th out of the 16 competing nations.

Exeter see off Leicester on Premiership opening weekend

Exeter Chiefs got their Gallagher Premiership campaign off to a fantastic start after beating defending champions Leicester 24-20 win at Sandy Park. The hosts went into the break leading 17-6 thanks to a penalty try, as well as one to Tonga international Solomone Keta, but Tigers hit back through skipper Hanro Liebenberg and Charlie Clare to lead 20-17 with just over a quarter to play. But a Patrick Schickerling score after the final hooter sealed the game for Exeter following a brave Leicester defensive effort.

In other results, London Irish smacked Worcester 45-14, Harlequins saw off Newcastle 40-31, Bristol pipped Bath 31-29, Wasps fell 21-27 at Gloucester and Sale beat Northampton 29-22.

Only two unbeaten sides remain in Top 14

There are just two unbeaten teams left following the second round of the Top 14 on the weekend. Toulouse swept Toulon aside in a 28-8 win at Stade Ernest-Wallon while European champions La Rochelle edged Lyon 23-21 at the Stade Gerland.

Elsewhere, Brive won 17-6 at Perpignan, Bayonne beat Racing 92 31-25, Clermont saw off Pau 33-24, Stade Francais fell 30-20 at Castres and defending champions Montpellier thwarted Bordeaux aside 29-19.