Paris (AFP) - South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe made a try-scoring return from injury on Saturday as Toulon hammered Brive 47-0 at home in the French Top 14.
Kolbe, 28, who had been out since mid-July with a fractured jaw, scored after just 115 seconds as the three-time European champions move up to second, a point behind leaders Toulouse.
Brive's Paul Abadie was shown a red card just after the interval for a dangerous tackle on Kolbe, which he survived unhurt despite landing on his head.
Kolbe started on the right wing after missing the opening five games of the season.
Less than two minutes after kick-off on the Mediterranean coast, World Cup winner Kolbe beat two defenders with a subtle dummy to claim his first try since May.
Toulon led 21-0 at half-time as Fiji centre Waisea Nayacalevu and Duncan Paia'aua, named in Samoa's November Tests squad this week, also scored.
Abadie was sent for an early shower six minutes after the break before the home side crossed for four second-half tries.
France captain Charles Ollivon, winger Aymeric Luc, Nayacalevu for a second time and Italy No.8 Sergio Parisse then touched down for the hosts.
Earlier, Kolbe's compatriot Cobus Reinach scored in his first league game back from a shoulder operation but Montpellier lost 26-13 at Castres in a re-run of last season's Top 14 final.
Reinach, 32, who suffered the injury in April but played once for the Springboks last month, crossed in the first half before being replaced with half an hour to play.
He was one of 12 changes made by Montpellier head coach Philippe Saint-Andre after last weekend's home loss to Toulouse.
NFL to Top 14
Former Buffalo Bills training squad member Christian Wade crossed on his Racing 92 debut as the Parisians overcame Pau 26-13.
Promoted Bayonne celebrated a third-straight sell-out at their Stade Jean-Dauger home by beating European Champions Cup holders La Rochelle 29-13.
The Basques joined Pau and Bordeaux-Begles in wearing pink socks in support of breast cancer awareness month in October as they remain unbeaten on their own turf this season.
Australia winger Sefa Naivalu claimed his third try in five league games as Stade Francais eased past Perpignan 52-3.
Later, Toulouse welcome Clermont as World Rugby player of the year Antoine Dupont returns for the home side after being rested last week.
On Sunday, Bordeaux-Begles head to Lyon, who have Tonga prop Feao Fotuaika making his maiden club start.
