Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe continued with his fine form for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan Rugby League One as he contributed 17 points in their 43-25 bonus-point triumph over Toyota Verblitz on Saturday.
The South African flyer hit the ground running when he scored a try in Sungoliath’s victory over the BlackRams Tokyo in last weekend’s tournament opener and followed up that performance by adding two five-pointers as well as couple of conversions and a penalty in his side’s triumph over Verblitz.
Kolbe showed off his finishing skills as he ran onto passes from back-row Tevita Tatafu and lock Harry Hockings before crossing for his respective tries.
Former All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith scored his first try of the season for Toyota Verblitz, who also had Springboks blindside flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit in their starting line-up.
Sungoliath setting the pace at the top of the table
The result means Sungoliath are setting the pace atop the Japan Rugby League One standings while Verblitz’s defeat extended their miserable record in this rivalry to one victory from the last 17 matches.
Meanwhile, defending Japan Rugby League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus got their 2025/26 campaign on track when they sealed a 26-22 away victory against the Shizuoka BlueRevs on Saturday.
After suffering a shock 46-0 defeat against the Saitama Wild Knights in their season opener against Saitama Wild Knights last week, Toshiba bounced back in style although they had to work hard for their win.
All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga led the way for Brave Lupus as he crossed for their opening try as early as the sixth minute.
The champions continued to dominate as the opening half progressed and held a 19-5 lead before former rugby league flyer Valynce Te Whare scored a well-taken try to narrow the gap at the interval.
That score rejuvenated Shizuoka and they took the lead early in the second half when All Blacks and Tonga dual international Charles Piutau went over for a five-pointer in his first appearance of the season.
Despite that score, Toshiba did not panic and eventually secured victory when another dual international – the All Black and Flying Fijians centre Seta Tamanivalu – scored what proved to be the match-winning try in the final quarter.
In other action, there were victories for Kubota Spears, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars and Saitama Wild Knights.
Kubota had a strong finish to thank for their 50-28 triumph over BlackRams Tokyo as they scored three tries in the final 17 minutes in Chiba.
In Mie, the Steelers clinched a narrow 28-23 win over MIE Honda Heat with ex-Saracens fly-half Manu Vunipola booting the home side into a 12-7 half-time lead.
Brodie Retallick dots down for Kobelco Kobe Steelers
However, the visitors came back strongly after the break and eventually outscored the Heat by four tries to one with ex-All Blacks second-row Brodie Retallick scoring Kobe’s final try.
Elsewhere, the Dynaboars were 17-10 victors over the Canon Eagles in their derby in Kanagawa, but the home side had to survive a nervy final 15 minutes after their South African prop Pieter Scholtz was red carded.
And finally, Saitama Wild Knights notched a deserved 37-19 home victory over Uraysu D-Rocks with the hosts’ hooker and captain Atsushi Sakate the star of the show at after crossing for a hat-trick of tries.
The D-Rocks delivered a brave performance and hauled themselves to within eight points with 15 minutes remaining, but the Wild Knights finished stronger and Sakate’s third try secured them the result.
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In Division Two, Hanazono Kintetsu Liners showed why they are the favourites to win the league as they followed up a superb win against Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi in the opening round, with an equally impressive 40-10 demolition of Green Rockets Tokatsu.
Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks also remain unbeaten after their 40-27 triumph over Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex, while ex-Wallabies back-row Toutai Kefu picked up his first win as Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves’ head coach after side sealed a 36-14 victory over Hino Red Dolphins.
In the final game, Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi cruised to a 49-6 victory against RedHurricanes Osaka 49-6.
Meanwhile, Champions SkyActivs Hiroshima continued with their fine start in Division Three as they outclassed Kurita Water Gush Akishima 57-7, while there were also victories for Yakult Levins Toda and Sayama Seco Rugguts.