RUGBY WRAP: Mixed URC weekend for SA sides; Sale and Sarries march on and Toulouse, La Rochelle win big

URC R5: Etzebeth-inspired Sharks smash Warriors in Durban

The Sharks claimed a resounding 40-12 win over Glasgow Warriors at Hollywoodbets Kings Park thanks to a massive surge in the second half. After leading by just 13-7 at the break, the hosts scored four tries after halftime to flatten the Glaswegians. Eben Etzebeth was a sensation in his debut for the Durban side, particularly at lineout time, and his presence will only lift them in their quest to improve their status in the competition going forward.

On Friday, the Stormers did well to draw 16-all with Ospreys in the wet at Swansea.com Stadium. Manie Libbok was mightily impressive at pivot as the defending champions kept intact their 15-game unbeaten run in the tournament. Elsewhere, a late comeback wasn’t enough for the Lions, who were edged 39-37 against a strong Ulster lineup in Johannesburg, while the Bulls copped their second defeat in succession after going down 17-31 against Munster at Thomond Park.

In other results, leaders Leinster earned a hard-fought 10-0 win in Galway over Connacht, Cardiff saw off Dragons 31-14 in the Welsh capital, hosts Edinburgh smashed Benetton 53-8, and Scarlets claimed a first win this season in their 36-12 defeat of Zebre at the Parc y Scarlets.

Prem R6: Sale and Sarries keep intact winning starts

Table-toppers Saracens earned a 37-31 win at the Stonex over winless Bath, while Sale Sharks, spearheaded by the du Preez brothers, comprehensively outmuscled London Irish in a 37-14 victory at the AJ Bell. Paul Deacon’s men occupy second, just one-log point off last season’s runners-up, with all signs indicating they will be well in the race for the playoffs this time round.

Elsewhere, hosts Saints squeaked past Falcons 32-31, Gloucester held off Bristol 31-28 at the Kingsholm and the Tigers ended their two-game losing run thanks to a 27-19 over Harlequins at The Stoop.

Top 14 R7: Big dogs bag big victories

Toulouse scored a comprehensive 45-7 win at Brive on Saturday to see them remain at the summit of the Top 14 standings by six points over La Rochelle. Ronan O’Gara’s charges claimed a pretty impressive victory themselves on the weekend, seeing off Cheslin Kolbe’s Toulon 32-5 at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Sunday to keep the heat on Toulouse.

In other results, Clermont won 20-10 at Perpignan, hosts Castres beat Bayonne 39-22, third-placed Stade Francais snuck a 31-29 win at Pau, Lyon claimed a 33-26 win at defending champions Montpellier and Bordeaux saw off Racing 29-17 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.