RUGBY WRAP: Derby wins for Stormers, Lions; Blitzboks finish 13th in Vancouver; Sale topple Sarries and more!

URC R15: Stormers achieve SA derby clean sweep, Lions avoid local whitewash

The Stormers’ 29-23 win over the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday gave them a perfect six from six record against fellow Saffa sides this season and sees them remain in a strong position to finish second in the URC. The seventh-placed Sharks pushed hard for a win late on after the hosts had been shown two yellows, but some awful decision-making cost them in the end.

In Pretoria, the Lions ensured they’ll end their campaign with at least one SA derby victory thanks to a great 29-25 defeat of the Bulls. The visitors have been under fire of late following reports of player unrest, but they’ve rallied hard to win their last two and climb to 11^th. The Bulls are still sixth on 43-points but have the Sharks (41-points), Connacht (eighth, 39-points) and Benetton (ninth, 38-points) breathing down their necks.

Elsewhere, Munster earned a hard-fought 49-42 victory over Scarlets in Limerick, Glasgow smashed Zebre 50-8 at the Scotstoun, Leinster eased to a 47-27 win in Edinburgh, Benetton pipped Ospreys 21-20 in Swansea, Connacht snuck a 22-20 away result over Dragons and Ulster comfortably saw off Cardiff 42-20 in the Welsh capital.

The tournament will resume in a fortnight.

Vancouver Sevens: Blitzboks disappoint again, Argies claim title

The Springbok Sevens’ struggles with consistency continued in the Vancouver leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on the weekend, with Sandile Ngcobo’s men finishing 13^th. The Blitzies finished third in their pool on points difference after losing 12-0 to Argentina, drawing 19-all with France and whacking Japan 40-12. They then lost 12-17 to Kenya in the ninth-place quarterfinal before seeing off the host nation 31-14 and then Japan again 17-5. 

They now occupy seventh on the overall championship standings with 89-points, with the second-placed Argies (108) reducing the gap on leaders New Zealand (120) following their 33-21 Cup Final victory over France. Australia’s 20-5 defeat of Ireland in the Bronze Final leaves France third (95), Fiji fourth (94), Australia fifth (94) and Samoa sixth (89).

The Hong Kong leg kicks-off on 31 March.

Prem R16: Sale best Sarries and Bears thump Saints

Sale Sharks produced a stunning comeback to down Saracens 35-24 at the AJ Bell in the 16^th round of the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday. Despite trailing 16-0 at one stage, Paul Deacon’s charges rallied back to shock the log-leaders and end their three-match losing run in the competition. The hosts (second) have now reduced the gap on Sarries (62-points) to six-points with the playoffs in sight.

In other results, Bristol tore through Northampton in a 62-8 win at Ashton Gate, Tigers put Bath away 48-27 at Welford Road, Harlequins hammered Exeter Chiefs 40-5 at The Stoop and Falcons were beaten 19-34 at home by London Irish. Leicester are now third, level with fourth-placed Saints (both 43-points) and closely followed by Irish (fifth, 41), Quins (sixth, 39), Gloucester (seventh, 39), Chiefs (eighth, 38) and Bristol (ninth, 36). Newcastle are 10^th with 27 and Bath are 11^th on 26.

SR Pacific R2: Brumbies win in Auckland, Reds embarrass Force

The Brumbies underlined their title credentials this season after claiming a thrilling 25-20 win over the Blues in Auckland on Sunday. Last year’s runners-up were dismal on the discipline front, conceding as many as 17 penalties and two yellow cards to make life extremely difficult for themselves. In Perth on the same day, the Reds scored 10-tries to obliterate the Western Force 71-20, with the latter missing a whopping 35-tackles.

Elsewhere, the Crusaders picked up their first win after easing past the Highlanders 52-15 in Christchurch, the Hurricanes pipped the Rebels 39-33 in Melbourne, the Chiefs won 52-29 against Moana Pasifika at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and the Waratahs saw off Fijian Drua 46-17 at the same venue.

Top 14 R20: Stade smacked in Toulon, usurped by La Rochelle

Stade Francais were overtaken by La Rochelle on the weekend after suffering a 37-9 defeat to Toulon at the Stade Mayol on Saturday. The European champions defeated Pau 36-32 at the Stade de Hameu on the same day to go second, with Stade now a point back in third on the log.

In other results from Round 20, hosts Montpellier eased past Clermont 34-6, Perpignan beat Bayonne 34-27 at the Aimé Giral, Castres outplayed fourth-placed Lyon 27-22 at the Pierre-Fabre, fifth-placed Bordeaux won 28-7 at Brive and leaders Toulouse narrowly beat Racing 39-35 in a thriller in Paris.