Germany remain in contention for a 2015 Rugby World Cup place after Saturday’s 45-20 win over Sweden with Saracens’ ex-junior Springbok Justin Melck scoring on his debut.
Having been released from Saracens’ 46-6 European Cup semi-final win over Clermont to play for Germany, Cape Town-born Melck, 31, crossed for a try soon after coming off the bench for the second-half in Stockholm.
The former Western Province captain and Stormers flanker then fell foul of the referee when he picked up a yellow card, but in his absence Germany pulled away for a convincing win.
“We were penalised a few times at the ruck before hand and I copped the yellow card about 20 minutes after coming on,” Melck told AFP.
“I can’t take too much credit for my try, I was at the back of a driving maul and all the boys in front of me did the hard work. It was awesome to get my first cap and I was just delighted to be able to be part of the win.”
The bonus-point win confirms Germany’s promotion to Division 1A of the European Nations Cup, the tier below the Six Nations, and keeps the minnows in the hunt for a first World Cup appearance next year.
The Germans now face a play-off against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on May 10 and Melck hopes to be involved.
“I hope I can get released by Saracens again and hope that I can start that one if I do,” he said.
Should they beat the Dutch, Russia await Germany in a second play-off match on May 24 for a place in the repechage section against sides from Asia, Africa and South America later this year with the winner going into Pool A.