Gary Gold

Gary Gold and Andries Bekker’s Kobe Kobelco Steelers have crashed out of the Japanese Top League with a 43-12 semi-final defeat to Yamaha Júbilo on Saturday.

According to reports, Bekker made little impact in the game and failed to take control of the lineouts, while Jaque Fourie did not play because of injury.

Kobe coach – and new Sharks Director of Rugby, Gary Gold – cut a dejected figure in the stands as his team, who had topped the log, were taken apart by a side they had beaten by a similar margin during the group stage.

Yamaha Júbilo will play either JP Pietersen’s Panasonic Wild Knights or Frans Steyn’s Toshiba Brave Lupus in the final.

Sunday’s second semi-final will be broadcast live on SuperSport 6 from 07:00 SA Time.

Sport24