Thomas du Toit scored a try for the second successive weekend ahead of the Springboks’ November tour, while Handre Pollard continued guiding Leicester Tigers’ revival in the Premiership.

– Thomas du Toit was one of six try scorers as Bath routed Sale Sharks 40-13 on Saturday to go top of the Premiership table. The Bok prop, who dotted down 12 times for Bath last season, was joined on the scoresheet by fellow South African front rower Frans van Wyk as Johann van Graan‘s side shrugged off a second-half red card to claim a comfortable win. Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder started his first game of the season for Bath, while loose forward Jaco Coetzee played off the bench. Forwards Hyron Andrews, Ernst van Rhyn, Dan du Preez, Le Roux Roets and Jean-Luc du Preez were all in action for Sale, who had Robert du Preez at flyhalf.

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– Gloucester overpowered bottom-of-the-table Newcastle 36-7 in a win featuring five players selected by Wales coach Warren Gatland for the November internationals. Loose forward Philip van der Walt and loosehead prop Luan de Bruin played for Newcastle.

– Leicester Tigers closed the gap on the Bath to a single point after withstanding a late Saracens rally in a 32-29 win that gave them a first victory at the London club’s ground in six years. Handre Pollard kicked 10 points to give Leicester a 15-point lead in the final quarter. Opposite number Tim Swiel enjoyed a sensational debut for Saracens, having joined the club on a short-term contract, scoring a try and kicking nine points. Flank Hanro Liebenberg started for Michael Cheika’s Leicester, while Ivan van Zyl partnered Swiel as Saracens’ halfback.

– Harlequins bounced back from a loss to Bath by claiming a bonus-point 36-19 win in Exeter. Loosehead prop Jordan Els, lock pair Irne Herbst and Stephan Lewies and fullback Tyrone Green all started for Harlequins. South African-born Italy flank Ross Vintcent scored for winless Exeter, who had Jacques Vermeulen in their back row.

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