Pollard, Reinach pack a punch

Springbok halfbacks Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach starred among a host of South Africans performing in Europe at the weekend.

English Premiership
Burger Odendaal captained Northampton Saints bruiser Juarno Augustus to a nail biting 35-34 victory against a Newcastle Falcons pack reinforced by former SA U20 lock Sebastian de Chaves.

On Debut! 🔥

Will Glister pounces to increase the @SaintsRugby lead! 💪

Watch live on @rugbyontnt! 📺#GallagherPrem | #NEWvNOR pic.twitter.com/unbdeDukPZ

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) April 18, 2025

Three South Africans played a part in Bath’s tight win against the Exeter Chiefs, with prop Thomas du Toit scrumming down alongside Francois van Wyk, while former Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder made an impact off the bench. Kwenzo Blose and Jacques Vermeulen featured as replacements for the Chiefs.

Ridiculous defence 🤯

What a combination from Henry Slade and Josh Hodge 🤝

Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #EXEvBAT pic.twitter.com/A5jKwzgmSV

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) April 19, 2025

Brothers Rob and Jean-Luc du Preez combined for 13 points in the Sale Shark’s 43-29 victory against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop. Former Sharks lock Hyron Andrews made an appearance off the bench, while Ivan Herbst, Tyrone Green and Jordan Els ran out for Quins.

Scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl got the better of Ruan Ackermann in Saracens’ 36-14 victory over Gloucester at the StoneX Stadium in London.

We reckon @andNickMullins summed this up pretty well 🎙️

Juan doing ridiculous things, 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣.#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/JP0CNXoizE

— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) April 20, 2025

Handre Pollard starred with the boot, scoring 10 points to launch Leicester Tigers to a 36-19 win against Bristol Bears. Former Bulls loosie Hanro Liebenberg featured for Leicester, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg started in the Bears midfield.

Top 14
Bok speedster Cobus Reinach dotted down for Montpellier in a 32-23 defeat to Lyon at the Stade de Gerland. Nico Janse van Rensburg joined Reinach off the bench while Arno Botha started at No 8 for Lyon.

Former Stormers star Dillyn Leyds started on the wing for hosts La Rochelle in a thrilling 29-28 victory against Bayonne. Prop Pieter Scholtz featured as a replacement for the visitors.

Springbok lock Marvin Orie and former SA U20 scrummy James Hall started for Perpignan in a 28-24 victory over Racing 92 at the Stade Aime Giral.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images