Weekend Rugby Wrap: 5 Takeaways

There wasn’t much action in a URC context over the past weekend with the Juskei derby being the solitary URC game. The 7s in Perth and the Gallagher Premiership made up the bulk of the rugby action. Bet Central brings you all the standout points.

Mike Brown Comes Back To Haunt Quins

No one could have ever thought they would see Mike Brown in another jersey except for the Harlequins jersey, but in 2021 that became a reality when he left the Quins after 16 years. On Friday he was outstanding against his former club as he helped Leicester Tigers to a tight win.

The Tigers were phenomenal and the 38-year-old former England fullback rolled back the years alongside the likes of Handre Pollard to edge out Quins by a solitary point.

Northampton Are Proving Tough To Beat

Northampton Saints have not lost a game since the 18th of November last year, which is over 2 months without a loss for the team based at Franklin’s Gardens. This weekend they saw off strugglers Newcastle Falcons.

The team is currently on a 10-game unbeaten run and with some of its foremost stars like Lewis Ludlam, Ollie Sleighthomme, and Courtney Lawes available and not away on duty with England their chances of continuing the run are quite high. The team is flying at the moment.

Francke Horn Slowly Making A Case For Bok’s Selection

South African rugby spectators were treated to a wonderful game of rugby on Saturday afternoon as the Bulls edged a determined Lions side in a thrilling encounter. There were a few standouts in a Lions context.

Sanele Nohamba showed the kind of form that has him being mentioned as a possible Bok selection later this year, in the same vein Marius Louw was breathtaking. But it was the work of 8thman Francke Horn that may have sent a message to Rassie Erasmus and his management team. Despite the good form of Hacjivah Dayimani, Celimpilo Gumede, and Cameron Hanekom, the 24-year-old 8thman may be a dark horse for a Bok spot. He certainly wouldn’t look out of place with his supreme work rate and ball-carrying prowess.

Blazeboks Show Good Progress In Perth

The Springboks 7 ladies showed good progress during the Perth leg of the 7s Series. After struggling in the 1st 2 legs at home and in Dubai, they showed signs of improvement in Australia.

They beat Great Britain who are one of the stronger teams on the Women’s circuit and also got a victory over Spain on day 2. There is a lot of promise in the way they played even in the losses. A sustained period within the circuit will yield dividends.

Argentina 7s Mean Business

After finishing 2nd on the overall log of the series last season, it seems Argentina are determined to go all the way for a maiden title on the circuit. They have won 2 of the 1st 3 tournaments and were too strong for Australia on Sunday.

They won 31-5 in a convincing performance in the final. Santiago Cora was a supreme player on the circuit, and it seems his coaching skills are coming to the fore as well now.