De Klerk inspires Sale to victory that bolsters title push
Sale 31 Newcastle 16
There will be a debate to be had in 10 years’ time about just how good Faf de Klerk actually was.
The effervescent scrum-half helped South Africa to a World Cup final win over England in 2019, but real success has eluded him so far in a Sale jersey since his arrival at the club four years ago.
Last night, though, the 29-yearold was hugely instrumental once again in a victory which reaffirmed Alex Sanderson’s side as genuine title contenders as they climbed to second in the Gallagher Premiership. For the second week running, De Klerk’s speed of thought and movement proved too much for a visiting team as Newcastle were put to the sword.
“Faf’s world-class, isn’t he? He was superb again and there’s more to come from him, but we had some real standout performers across the park,” Sanderson said.
Having dispatched defending champions Exeter on this ground seven days ago, De Klerk rapidly set about repeating the trick against Dean Richards’ Newcastle.
Just two minutes had passed when De Klerk threw a rapier-like pass out to Marland Yarde, who finished with aplomb in the left corner.
Sale’s second try, scored by another South African in Lood de Jager, was a sight to behold.
De Klerk again seized the initiative from behind his pack with a neat short pass to his half-back partner, AJ Macginty, in midfield. Macginty floated a fine pass out to Josh Beaumont on the right flank and the son of former England captain Sir Bill Beaumont offloaded to the supporting Macginty.
The United States international advanced down the right touchline and produced a delightful pass out of the back door which found De Jager. The 28-year-old lock, who stands 6ft 9in, showed neat footwork to step inside his opposite number Marco Fuser and through Tom Penny’s flimsy challenge to dive over the line.
Like De Klerk, De Jager started for the Springboks in the final 16 months ago, but a dislocated shoulder forced him off in Yokohama after just 21 minutes. A further shoulder injury sidelined him for several months last year, but last night’s try was a reminder of his class.
Newcastle, lacking nothing in spirit but bereft of creative inspiration, trailed 18-6 at the interval, after fly-half Brett Connon had kicked two penalties, with Macginty doing likewise for Sale.
The Falcons had enjoyed a hugely encouraging first half to their Premiership campaign, and arrived in Salford on the back of a victory over Harlequins last weekend. They steadied themselves after Sale’s two early tries, but the home side’s victory was chiselled on aggression and obstinate defending.
Sale prop Willgriff John was sent to the sin-bin in the 55th minute after his shoulder caught John Hardie as he cleared out a ruck. Sale, initially, held firm and Macginty booted another penalty when his side were reduced to 14 men.
Sanderson’s men now had breathing space, but the Falcons were not finished and they finally conjured a delightful late score through Premiership debutant Joel Matavesi.
Fellow replacement Michael Young showed some fine footwork to step through a statuesque Sale defence and send Matavesi scampering over the line from close range.
But Sale had the final say when former Newcastle player Simon Hammersley, who came off the bench, collected a pass from Yarde and galloped over in the left corner.
“Sale are a good side and reasonably well drilled, but I thought they got lucky with a few of their scrum penalties,” Richards said. “That’s life, though, and not the reason we lost.”