Stormers shine in bleak European opener for South African teams

THE DHL Stormers stood tall as the only South African team to register a victory on the opening weekend of European competition, earning a hard-fought 26-17 win over Aviron Bayonnais in France, while the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Lions, and Toyota Cheetahs all stumbled in their Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns.

The Capetonians, current Vodacom United Rugby Championship log leaders, showed they could maintain their impressive domestic form abroad, securing their seventh straight win of the season in their Champions Cup opener on Friday night. Their performance sees them finish the first round third in their pool behind Stade Rochelais and Leinster.

In stark contrast, the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks endured heavy defeats against two French powerhouses. The Bulls lost 46-33 to defending champions Bordeaux Bègles in Pretoria on Saturday despite leading at halftime, while the Sharks were overpowered 56-19 by Stade Toulousain on Sunday after conceding four tries in the opening 23 minutes.

The EPCR Challenge Cup also delivered disappointment for South Africa. The Lions suffered a narrow 26-18 defeat to Benetton in Johannesburg, with a late yellow card proving costly. The Toyota Cheetahs were outplayed 42-12 by the Exeter Chiefs after the hosts ran in five first-half tries at Sandy Park.

Investec Champions Cup

Stormers overcome setbacks for impressive Bayonne victory

Despite a second-half red card to Adre Smith and a yellow card to Leolin Zas, the Stormers displayed composure under pressure to end Bayonne’s unbeaten home run at Stade Jean Dauger. Imad Khan struck early for the opening try, while four penalty goals by Clinton Swart helped the visitors into a 16-5 halftime lead.

Bayonne closed the gap to a single point after capitalising on the Stormers’ 20-minute red card, but momentum shifted late in the match as the French side received two yellow cards in quick succession. Paul de Villiers seized the moment with a late try to restore control before Swart sealed the win with a conversion and a final penalty.

Ill-discipline costs Bulls as champions surge late

The Bulls looked poised for a statement win after scoring five tries in the first half to lead 33-22, but two yellow cards in the second stanza swung control emphatically in Bordeaux’s favour. Playing 20 minutes with 14 men proved decisive, as the visitors crossed for four late tries to complete a dramatic comeback.

Toulouse overpowers youthful Sharks

A dominant Toulouse outfit displayed ruthless attacking flair as they ran in eight tries to comfortably dispatch the Sharks in France. The Durban side showed fight through tries from Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, and Le Roux Malan, but defensive lapses and relentless French pressure left them well short.

EPCR Challenge Cup

The yellow card proves to be the turning point for the Lions

Leading 18-13 entering the closing stages, the Lions looked in command until a deliberate knock-down saw Kelly Mpeku sent to the sin bin. Benetton made the most of the advantage, scoring two tries and a drop goal in the final minutes to overturn the result.

Exeter punish Cheetahs with a clinical first half

The Cheetahs were unable to recover from a punishing first period as Exeter ran in five tries to establish a commanding 35-7 halftime lead. Despite better resistance in the second half, the damage was done as the English side closed out a convincing win.