Faf de Klerk hat-trick steers lowly Yokohama past Rennie’s leaders Kobe

Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk’s sensational first half hat-trick helped the basement outfit to stun Dave Rennie’s leaders Kobe Steelers 38-29 and move out of the relegation play-off zone.

The 34-year-old double World Cup winner marked his return from an ankle injury by helping Leon MacDonald’s lowly side to a surprise win away at Honda Heat a week ago.

Yokohama’s fit-again Springboks star inspired his team to consecutive wins for the first time this season with a 31-minute hat-trick against Kobe today, the first hat-trick in his illustrious career.

The Kanagawa-based club, who started the day at the foot of the table, trailed to an opening try from All Black Ardie Savea after nine minutes.

De Klerk opened his account after 11 minutes with former Japan fly-half Yu Tamura adding the extras to edge the visitors in front in Hyogo.

© Yokohama Canon Eagles

South Africa’s veteran scrum-half, who will take part in a virtual Springboks alignment camp on Tuesday, popped up again after 31 minutes with his half-back partner kicking the extra two points.

With hosts Kobe, whose only prior defeat was a round one loss against Kubota Spears, trailing 5-17 talismanic captain Brodie Retallick stepped up to try to engineer a fightback with his 13th try of the season.

De Klerk sealed his hat-trick after 42 minutes and Tamura fulfilled his duties from the tee to send the hosts into the dressing room at half-time with a 24-10 lead.

Recent Brave Blossoms call-up Inoke Burua scored his eighth try of the campaign just four minutes after the restart and All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown went over eight minutes later.

New All Blacks coach Rennie’s side regained the lead through replacement prop Sho Maeda after 67 minutes.

As Yokohama saw their 14-point lead at the break evaporate and the hosts establish a five-point advantage, flanker Billy Harmon tied up the scores at 39-39 with 10 minutes remaining before Tamura put them ahead.

Replacement centre Ryo Tabata silenced the home fans and sent the visitors into raptures when he crossed on the 75-minute mark and Tamura rubber-stamped a thrilling 38-29 win.

Yokohama jumped from 12th to 10th in the table with the rest of the division set to play on Saturday and Sunday.

MacDonald’s improving side, who are still without unavailable captain Jesse Kriel, will host Steve Hansen’s fast-rising Toyota Verblitz next week in what will likely be the last encounter between de Klerk and long-time international rival Aaron Smith.

De Klerk is understood to be out of contract this summer and has been linked with a return to his homeland to join the Cheetahs.

Kobe, who could drop to second or third place depending on the fortunes of high-flying Saitama Wild Knights and Kubota Spears this weekend, will travel to Kwagga Smith’s misfiring Shizuoka Blue Revs in round 13.