STAT ATTACK: Siya's dazzling debut
SPOTLIGHT: Harlequins may have beaten Racing 92 31-28 in their Champions Cup opener at La Defense Arena in Paris at the weekend, but it is the performances of two World Cup winners that headlined the encounter.
Marcus Smith and Andre Esterhuizen touched down in the first half for Quins, who led by three at the interval as halfback duo Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Gibert notched tries for Racing.
The hosts then surged 28-17 ahead as Le Garrec crossed again before flank Ibrahim Diallo did likewise. But Quins hit back with two quick tries from Alex Dombrandt and Jack Walker to snatch victory in Pool Two.
While Smith was, rightfully, praised for his performance – he converted all four tries, including his own, and added a drop-goal – the performances of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his Bok teammate Esterhuizen were worthy of closer scrutiny.
Both played 80 minutes and were hugely influential in the Bok skipper’s first European Cup outing.
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a touch of magic ✨#RacingFamily pic.twitter.com/KTp9hk15g3
— Racing 92 (@racing92) December 11, 2023
Kolisi, credited with a try assist, made eight carries for 52 metres – third most of the Racing team.
He also made 11 tackles, fourth-most for his team, won a turnover, was credited with one offload, two linebreaks, two defenders beaten and three passes.
Esterhuizen, who played mainly a supporting role at the World Cup and featured against Romania and Tonga, again showed in Paris this past weekend that he is not just brute force and was good value for his try.
His 11 carries yielded 70 metres, he made nine passes, one linebreak, five defenders beaten and nine tackles.
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