Robert du Preez could be the answer to the Springboks' lack of flyhalf depth as he put on another stellar performance for the Sale Sharks on the weekend.
The Springbok No 10 kicked 13 points, won a turnover and made 11 tackles to help the Sharks stop a red-hot Exter Chiefs outfit, winning 28-20 in their Premiership Rugby clash on Saturday. Two of Du Preez's penalty kicks were under pressure late in the second half.
Also running out for the Sharks were former Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen and Dan du Preez, while the third Du Preez brother, Jean-Luc, featured off the bench.
Incumbent Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard experienced contrasting fortunes, as his return from injury was cut short. Pollard ran out to make his debut for the Leicester Tigers, but lasted only 27 minutes on the artificial turf of StoneX Stadium in London before hobbling off with a knee strain.
Former SA Under-20 star Hanro Liebenberg captained the Tigers, who were dominated 51-18 by a superlative Saracens team. Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl was key for Saracens, assisting in one try and making 42 passes.
Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw, along with former Lions star Tyron Green, started for Harlequins as they thwarted a late comeback from Northampton Saints to win 35-29. Former SA U20 No 8 Juarno Augustus starred for the Saints.
Over in France in the Top 14, Springbok flyer Warrick Gelant made 59 running metres, four passes and a linebreak for Racing 92 as they went down 24-19 to La Rochelle. Fellow Bok backline teammate Dillyn Leyds put in another solid performance for La Rochelle, kicking a crucial nine points off the tee.
Former Springbok back-rower Arno Botha scored a try for Lyon as they went down 43-20 to Clermont, while Springbok Uzair Cassiem came off the bench to score a try for Bayonne who narrowly lost to Brive 25-22.