ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP
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Jean-Luc du Preez scored a classy try as Sale Sharks claimed a 36-20 win over Bristol Bears on Friday. Du Preez also picked up a try assist and beat five defenders. The lock forward was joined by his brother Rob du Preez, who played the majority of the match at outside centre.
Elsewhere in England, Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen was as much of a threat as ever, featuring prominently in Harlequins' 48-20 victory over Newcastle Falcons.
Exeter Chiefs may have proved too much for the Stormers to handle in the Champions Cup recently, but they found themselves on the receiving end of a 62-19 thrashing at the hands of a Leicester side starring Handre Pollard and Jasper Wiese.
Pollard, showcasing his flyhalf prowess yet again, contributed significantly with 23 metres gained, three defenders beaten, 11 passes completed, and two tries scored out of the team's eight. Meanwhile, Wiese once again shone at No 8, amassing 58 metres from nine carries and beating three defenders along the way.
FRENCH TOP 14
Trevor Nyakane started at tighthead as Racing 92 secured a spot in the top six playoff places by snatching a late 31-28 victory over Bordeaux. Warrick Gelant played off the bench.
Montpellier fell to a 28-19 home loss to Castres, with Cobus Reinach unable to prevent the defeat after coming on as a replacement.
Dillyn Leyds made his return to action for La Rochelle in a 26-6 victory over Bayonne, starting at fullback. Leyds made 95 metres and two linebreaks in 65 minutes but also received a yellow card towards the end of the first half for cynical play.
Rynhardt Elstadt was on the bench as Toulouse held on for a narrow 36-31 win over Lyon to go six points clear at the top of the table. Arno Botha played as No 8 for fifth-placed Lyon.
JAPAN LEAGUE ONE
Over in Japan, the Shizuoka Blue Revs ended the Wild Knights' historic 48-game unbeaten run, claiming a 30-25 victory. The Blue Revs achieved this feat without No 8 Kwagga Smith, while Damian de Allende played off the bench for the Wild Knights, who also rested Lood de Jager.
A Toyota Verblitz side starring Pieter-Steph du Toit and Willie le Roux secured a last-minute 36-34 win over the Black Rams, their second win in a row.
Despite leaving several big names on the bench, Kubota Spears coasted to an eight-try victory over Green Rockets. Malcolm Marx scored a try after coming on in the second half, bringing his tally for the season to 10, Marx is the leading try-scorer among all forwards in the league and fourth overall.
Finally, Jesse Kriel started for Canon Eagles, with Faf de Klerk on the bench, in a 11-9 loss to Suntory Sungoliath in a match played in a heavy downpour.