Springbok pair Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel starred as Yokohama Cannon Eagles beat Shizuoka Blue Revs 53-35.
Kriel chipped the kick for the Eagles’ second try of the game, sprinting more than 60 meters for the try.
Springbok team-mate Kwagga Smith struck back first for the Blue Revs, with Kriel assisting in one of the more frenzied passages of rugby to be seen at professional level.
No. 8 Sione Halasili powered over to give the Eagles a 32-14 halftime lead, and Kriel scored his second goal in an avalanche of as many second-half attempts.
Malo Tuitama scored a double for the Blue Revs and former NRL cult hero Valynce Te Whare produced a brilliant try assist after a long break.
Israel Folau’s D-Rocks, despite being without All Black first five Richie Mo’unga, put up a valiant fight against reigning champions Brave Lupus Tokyo, but fell behind 22-14.
Mo’unga’s replacement, Takuro Matsunaga, had two try assists, while Australian fullback Michael Bond and Brave Blossom Jone Naikabula attempted crosses.
His son, former Hurricanes cult hero Bill Kabubati (Caleb), appeared on the losing side with a breakout game on left wing.
He beat two defenders at once, scored from 40 meters out and had 168 meters on 14 carries. He beat a game-high nine defenders.
Folau, who came off the bench late, attempted in typical fashion by breaking through the line midway through a set play to close the gap to five points, but a late penalty from Brave Lupus iced the match.
Ian Foster’s Toyota Verblitz overcame a slow start and a 10-0 deficit to earn their first win of the season, beating the Black Rams Tokyo 32-18.
Some Aaron Smith brilliance almost set up the first try, getting two touches from the same move before a deft offload to fullback Tiaan Falcon. After a forward pass early in the movement, the attempt was dismissed.
But the Falcons scored with a right-winger before Smith combined with center Joey Manu, who produced an assist for midfield partner Nicholas McCurran.
Heading into the final 10 minutes, Verblitz fell behind 18-15 before coming home with a late surge.
Manu assisted the second try after a chip regathered and delivered a quick pass to the right winger. A penalty kick goal restored the seven-point lead at 25-18 before flanker William Tupou’s intercepted attempt sealed the win.
