The Sharks and Cheetahs each started their Super Rugby warm-up itinerary with a surprise win, but the coastal team will be counting the cost after Pat Lambie was forced off with a shoulder injury.
The Springbok flyhalf cried off with an AC joint injury just before halftime of a 29-21 win against Toulon on Friday night.
The Sharks streaked into a comfortable lead with tries from Cobus Reinach, Paul Jordaan, Daniel du Preez and Jean-Luc du Preez, but tailed off in the second half, conceding a penalty try soon after Lwazi Mvovo dotted down.
The hosts went into the match without a number of players called up for Six Nations duty, and former Les Bleus pivot Freddie Michalak was a late withdrawal due to injury.
The Sharks are set to travel to Toulouse on Thursday before heading home.
Another one of Toulon’s Top 14 rivals, Racing Metro had a more positive experience in Hong Kong on Saturday when they took part in a warm-up match against Super Rugby’s defending champions, the Highlanders.
The Highlanders crossed five times and benefitted from a penalty try, but still came up short in a 45-38 reverse against the Top 14 leaders. Former Western Province lock Francois van der Merwe and Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen each contributed to Racing Metro’s tally of seven tries.
The Cheetahs thumped the Bulls 28-10 in Harare on Saturday. For Bulls coach Nollis Marais, the failure of an experienced bench to bring his team back into the contest during the second half will be less of a concern than a shaky scrum that led to a pair of penalty tries.
Stand-in Cheetahs captain Reniel Hugo scored twice as Franco Smith’s team dominated the shoving contest.
In other pre-season friendlies, the Southern Kings edged the Eagles 22-16 at Outeniqua Park on Friday night.
On Saturday, the Waratahs scored a late try to beat the Brumbies in Wagga Wagga, the Reds managed just one penalty in front of their supporters during a 31-3 reverse against a rampant Crusaders outfit, while the Lions racked up 165 points in double-header wins against the Leopards (103-0) and Valke (62-17) in Kempton Park. - Cape Times