Three South African teams march into European playoffs after statement round

SOUTH African rugby enjoyed one of its most productive weekends on the European stage this season as three domestic teams secured playoff berths, underlining their growing influence in the northern hemisphere competitions.

The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls booked places in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks earned a spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup playoffs. It was a weekend of big wins, dramatic finishes, and cruel exits, with fortunes swinging sharply across Europe and at home.

The Vodacom Bulls delivered arguably the performance of the round from a South African perspective, grinding out a crucial 26–24 bonus-point victory over Section Paloise in Pau. A relentless defensive effort, combined with clinical finishing, snapped a seven-match losing streak and lifted the Pretoria side into the Round of 16, where they will travel to Glasgow to face the Warriors in April.

Mpilo Gumede and Akker van der Merwe laid the early platform before second-half tries by Cheswill Jooste and Nizaam Carr completed the comeback. Handre Pollard’s calm boot proved decisive as the Bulls absorbed late pressure to secure fourth place in their pool and extend their European campaign.

In Cape Town, the DHL Stormers produced a composed second-half display to beat Leicester Tigers 39–26 at DHL Stadium and seal their playoff ticket. After edging a tight first half, the Capetonians showed their depth and resilience, even playing a key period a man down, to pull clear and maintain their unbeaten home record in the competition. They now face a demanding away trip to Toulon in the Round of 16.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, meanwhile, produced a dazzling attacking performance in Durban, running in eight tries in a dominant 50–12 victory over Clermont Auvergne. While results elsewhere denied them progression in the Investec Champions Cup, the emphatic win secured fifth place in their pool and an EPCR Challenge Cup playoff against Connacht in Ireland. With memories of lifting the trophy two seasons ago, the Sharks remain a serious contender.

There was heartbreak for the Lions and Toyota Cheetahs, whose EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns ended agonisingly. The Lions were knocked out after a rain-soaked 20–20 draw with Perpignan in France, undone by table standings despite a spirited display. The Cheetahs suffered an even crueller fate in Paris, conceding a last-minute try to lose 31–28 to Racing 92 after leading deep into the contest.

All Round of 16 fixtures are scheduled for the first weekend of April, with kickoff times and venues to be confirmed. For now, South African rugby can reflect on a powerful European showing, with three teams still very much in the hunt for silverware.