Four South African teams still in contention for European play-off races

IT MAY be scorching in Kimberley, and it may be quiet on the local sports scene, but local rugby fans can still rev up their sofas and enjoy some cool, top class international rugby.

The European rugby play-off race is heating up, and four South African teams are still in contention across the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

While the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks remain in the hunt for Champions Cup play-off spots, the Toyota Cheetahs and Emirates Lions are vying for a place in the Challenge Cup Round of 16. However, the Vodacom Bulls’ hopes have been dashed after suffering their third consecutive defeat in the competition.

DHL Stormers Crush Sale Sharks in Cape Town

The DHL Stormers kept their play-off hopes alive with a commanding 40-0 victory over the Sale Sharks at DHL Stadium. Scoring six unanswered tries, the Stormers showed clinical precision and robust defence to secure their first win of the competition.

The Cape side took control in the second half, adding four tries to their 14-0 halftime lead. JD Schickerling celebrated his 50th appearance with a try, while Springbok Manie Libbok’s flair was on full display as he scored one and set up others. Despite a yellow card for Frans Malherbe, the Stormers remained composed, capitalising on Sale’s three yellow cards in the second half to seal a morale-boosting win.

Scorers:

DHL Stormers (40): Tries: JD Schickerling, Manie Libbok, Sti Sithole, Warrick Gelant, Paul de Wet, and Andre-Hugo Venter. Conversions: Libbok (4), Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Sale Sharks (0)

Toulouse Outlast Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban

Toulouse maintained their unbeaten run in the Investec Champions Cup with a hard-fought 20-8 victory over the Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Despite Durban’s hot and humid conditions, the French side’s tactical kicking and clinical finishing proved decisive.

The Sharks managed only a penalty goal from Jordan Hendrikse and a late try by Jurenzo Julius. In contrast, Toulouse’s Emmanuel Meafou and Blair Kinghorn crossed the tryline, with Thomas Ramos adding accurate goal-kicking to secure the win.

Scorers:

Hollywoodbets Sharks (8): Try: Jurenzo Julius. Penalty: Jordan Hendrikse.

Toulouse (20): Tries: Emmanuel Meafou, Blair Kinghorn. Conversions: Thomas Ramos (2). Penalties: Ramos (2).

Castres Overpower Vodacom Bulls with Late Surge

The Bulls’ campaign came to a crushing end with a 49-10 defeat against Castres in France. Despite a strong defensive effort and a competitive first half, the Bulls were overwhelmed in the final quarter, conceding five tries.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ early try gave the visitors hope, but Castres’ Remy Baget ran rampant, completing a hat-trick as the French side stormed to a bonus-point win. The Bulls’ inability to maintain their defensive intensity late in the game proved costly.

Scorers:

Castres (49): Tries: Remy Baget (3), Geoffrey Palis, Jack Goodhue, Julien Dumora. Conversions: Jeremy Fernandez (2), Pierre Popelin (3). Penalties: Fernandez (3).

Vodacom Bulls (10): Try: Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Conversion: Boeta Chamberlain. Penalty: Jaco van der Walt.

Toyota Cheetahs Secure Dramatic Win in Amsterdam

The Toyota Cheetahs clinched a thrilling 22-18 victory over Zebre Parma in Amsterdam to remain in the EPCR Challenge Cup play-off race. Cohen Jasper’s late try sealed the win in a match where the Free Staters led 17-11 at halftime.

Despite a strong start, Zebre Parma’s second-half try temporarily gave them a one-point lead. However, the Cheetahs’ resilience shone through as Jasper’s decisive score kept their play-off hopes alive.

Scorers:

Toyota Cheetahs (22): Tries: Michael Annies, Jeandre Rudolph, Cohen Jasper. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2). Penalty: Wentzel.

Zebre Parma (18): Tries: Simone Gesi, Tommaso di Bartolomeo. Conversion: Thomas Dominguez. Penalties: Dominguez (2).

Montpellier Dominate Emirates Lions

Montpellier’s attacking prowess overwhelmed the Emirates Lions, securing a bonus-point 28-5 win in their EPCR Challenge Cup clash in France. The Lions’ early second-half try by Quan Horn narrowed the gap to 7-5, but yellow cards and defensive lapses allowed the hosts to run riot.

Montpellier’s Marco Tauleigne, Alexis Bernadet, and Sam Simmons combined to deliver three second-half tries that sealed the Lions’ fate, leaving them with work to do in their final pool match.

Scorers:

Montpellier (28): Tries: Marco Tauleigne, Alexis Bernadet (2), Sam Simmons. Conversions: Thomas Vincent (3), Aurellien Bareau.

Emirates Lions (5): Try: Quan Horn.

With one round left in the pool stages, South Africa’s rugby teams face a pivotal moment. The Stormers and Sharks are tied in their respective pools with everything to play for, while the Cheetahs and Lions remain in contention in the Challenge Cup.

Rugby fans can expect thrilling encounters as the teams fight for play-off glory.