South African Jacques Vermeulen was one of four try scorers as Gallagher Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs came from 14-10 down at halftime to defeat Sale Sharks 32-22 at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday.
The bonus-point win saw Chiefs exact revenge on Sale after the narrow 22-19 loss in January.
The South African flanker added to his tally of tries in the 47th minute as the Chiefs outscored Sale 22-8 in the second half. Vermeulen was drafted into the squad to replace compatriot Jannes Kirsten in the back-row.
Chiefs came out on top against a Sale side which had eight South Africans, including flyhalf Robert du Preez and Rugby World Cup winner Faf de Klerk, in their starting XV on the night. Zimbabwe-born Dave Ewers also started for Chiefs on the night.
It has been a fruitful few weeks for Vermeulen who, last month, committed his future to the Chiefs by signing a contract extension for an undisclosed period.
Du Preez, meanwhile, scored a try and kicked seven of Sale’s points in a valiant effort to defeat the 2016/17 Premiership champions.
Exeter, which has won both its games since the restart, leads the Gallagher Premiership with 52 points, five clear of second-placed of Bristol Bears. Sale, in contrast, has lost both its games and is fourth on 41 points.
