Shaun Goosen looks back at this past weekend’s rugby action from around Europe and South Africa.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Playoff places secure after last-gasp WP win over Cheetahs
Tim Swiel kicked a penalty after the fulltime hooter to secure a 31-29 win for Western Province over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and dump the defending champions out of the competition. The hosts fought back valiantly from 23-9 down after 55-minutes to eventually lead with seconds remaining, but it was not to be as WP remain on course for a home semi-final heading into the final round-robin fixture of the season. They are first on the standings, level on points with the Bulls, though their old foes have two games in hand.
Earlier in the day, the Lions beat the Pumas 33-25 at the Mbombela Stadium thanks to two tries and four penalties from fullback Tiaan Swanepoel. The men from Jozi tackle the Bulls in Pretoria on Wednesday in their final game which could see them temporarily go top. The fourth-placed Sharks, meanwhile, saw off the Griquas 47-19 in Durban to see them trailing Province by two points with an away match at Newlands to come. All to play for then!
Ulster remain last unbeaten domestic team in Europe
Ulster are looking pretty special this season. Their 15-10 win over a previously unbeaten Munster side at the Kingspan was their 10th in 10 matches in the Pro14 and ensured they remain the only undefeated side in Europe following a weekend that also saw Leinster fall to Connacht. In the Premiership, Exeter suffered a big loss at Wasps and Bristol inflicted Newcastle’s first L of the campaign.
The men from Belfast continue to lead the pack at the summit of Conference A in the Pro14 (46 points), though they have played two games more than second-placed Leinster (36). Munster are still top of Conference B (33), ahead of Connacht by eight points.
Exeter’s Prem loss wasn’t the only eye-catching result to come out of England this weekend. Sale finally bagged their first W post-Steve Diamond in a 22-19 result at Gloucester while the Leicester Tigers pulled off a 36-31 victory over Bath at Welford Road.
Racing extend winning run in Top 14 after win at Marcel Michelin
Racing 92 now find themselves on a six-match winning run in all competitions following their 24-22 away win over Clermont on the weekend. They are third on the Top 14 standings, trailing front-runners La Rochelle by just three points with a game in hand. Clermont, meanwhile, find themselves in seventh in a season that has been more miss than hit so far.
The entire top four picked up wins in round 13, with La Rochelle, Toulouse (second) and Stade Francais (fourth) maintaining the status quo. Castres and Bordeaux also picked up positive results with just six-points now separating fourth from eighth.
Written by Shaun Goosen.
