Stormers and Sharks perform as South African teams excel in European Rugby Competitions
The European Rugby Champions Cup trophy on diplay South African rugby thrived in Europe as the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks secured crucial Champions Cup wins, while the Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Cheetahs, and Lions faced defeats, highlighting mixed fortunes ahead of the URC local derbies. Seen is the European Rugby Champions Cup trophy on display.
Image: Nicolas Tucat/AFP
SOUTH African rugby fans had much to cheer about this past weekend as the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks delivered crucial victories in the Investec Champions Cup, keeping the South African flag flying high in Europe. The Stormers dominated Stade Rochelais 42-21 in Gqeberha, while the Sharks edged Saracens 28-23 in Durban. Although the Vodacom Bulls suffered a heavy 50-5 defeat against the Northampton Saints, it was still a respectable weekend overall for South Africa’s European campaigns.
The DHL Stormers set the tone early in Gqeberha, racing to a 16-7 halftime lead thanks to two tries from Dylan Maart and one from Leolin Zas. Andre-Hugo Venter, Warrick Gelant, and Marcel Theunissen added late scores to secure a commanding 42-21 victory, stretching their unbeaten run this season to eight matches and putting them top of their Champions Cup pool with nine points.
Meanwhile, the Hollywoodbets Sharks faced challenging weather conditions in Durban but managed to grind out a 28-23 win against Saracens. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi opened the scoring with a maul try, and Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, and Grant Williams added four tries in total. Despite Saracens’ late surge, the Sharks held firm, with George Whitehead converting four tries to seal a vital victory.
The Vodacom Bulls, however, were outplayed by Northampton Saints in England, conceding eight tries in a 50-5 defeat. Stravino Jacobs scored the Bulls’ only try, but disciplinary issues and defensive lapses left them struggling to contain the Saints’ relentless attack.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, disappointment continued for the Toyota Cheetahs and Lions. Stade Francais overturned a 17-14 halftime deficit to beat the Cheetahs 45-22 in Amsterdam, while the Lions’ hopes were dashed by a late Newcastle Red Bulls try in England, falling 14-10 despite dominating possession. Both South African sides now face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages, sitting fourth and fifth in their respective pools.
Looking ahead, the Vodacom United Rugby Championship resumes with exciting local derbies. On 20 December, the DHL Stormers host the Lions in Cape Town, and the Hollywoodbets Sharks face the Vodacom Bulls in Durban. Early January promises more thrilling encounters, including the Sharks versus Lions and Stormers versus Bulls, setting the stage for a compelling start to 2026.