It was a URC weekend to remember for the three South African URC franchises thanks to some big home wins. Over in England, Sale edged Bath in a thriller to stay top of the Premiership.
Gallagher Prem R7: Sale hold on to top spot after holding off Bath
Sale Sharks continue to top the table in the Gallagher Premiership after edging Bath 11-9 at the AJ Bell on Friday. Trailing 5-9 at the break to the determined visitors, Alex Sanderson’s charges had veteran George Ford to thank for two critical second-half penalties that ultimately sealed the deal for the hosts.
Despite Owen Farrell missing six of his eight kicks at goal, Saracens managed to get past Bristol Bears 39-31 at the StoneX to go second on the log. Mark McCall’s men did well to find a way to win in spite of the England captain’s wayward boot, but it is an area in which the 32-year-old can’t afford to fall off the pace.
Elsewhere, Northampton Saints snuck past Harlequins 36-33 at Franklin’s Gardens, Leicester claimed a 38-20 win at Gloucester and Exeter dealt Falcons their seventh loss of the season in a 14-20 defeat at Kingston Park.
URC R6: Hollywoodbets Sharks up and running, Big wins for Lions and Bulls
After opening their account this season with five successive losses, the Hollywoodbets Sharks produced a barnstorming display to put Dragons to the sword 69-14 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Thanks in large part to the return of a number of World Cup winners, John Plumtree’s men scored 10 tries in a comprehensive victory that will give them a much-needed confidence boost as they prepare for a daunting trip to Loftus Versfeld in round seven.
The Lions delivered a knockout performance of their own after dealing Zebre a 61-19 thumping in Jo’burg. Ivan van Rooyen’s troops are now 10th and just four points off the top eight.
Across the Jukskei, there was a 53-27 win over Connacht for a Willie le Roux-inspired Bulls outfit which saw them go third, while the Stormers (12th) completed their overseas tour winless following a 24-31 loss in Cardiff.
In other results, Leinster got the better of defending champs Munster 21-16 at the Aviva, Benetton snuck home 24-22 in Edinburgh, log-leaders Glasgow eased past Ulster 33-20 at the Scotstoun, and Ospreys beat Scarlets 31-9 in Swansea.
