RUGBY WRAP: Euro success for Sharks, Stormers, Lions; Griffons, Pumas star in Currie Cup and Blitzboks finish 6th in Hong Kong

Champs Cup RO16: Sharks and Stormers through, Bulls whacked in Toulouse

The Sharks claimed a comprehensive 50-35 win over Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday to earn safe passage to the quarterfinals of the competition. While the first-half was a close one, with the hosts taking a slender 17-14 lead into the break, the men in black upped the physicality in the second to ultimately come away with a comfortable victory in the end.

In Cape Town, the Stormers put Harlequins away in a 32-28 result to underline their title credentials. The reigning URC champions, buoyed by two tries from the exceptional Deon Fourie, managed to outlast their opponents despite losing the second-half 15-21.

Elsewhere, the Bulls were outclassed 33-9 in Toulouse, Leinster beat Ulster 30-15 in Dublin, defending champs La Rochelle edged Gloucester 29-23 at the Stade Deflandre and Saracens saw off Ospreys 35-20 at the StoneX. Following a 33-all draw with Montpellier after extra time at Sandy Park, Exeter progressed after scoring more tries in the clash.

This weekend’s quarterfinals will see Leinster tackle Leicester at the Aviva, Toulouse welcome the Sharks to the Ernest-Wallon, Chiefs face the Stormers in Devon and Saracens travel to La Rochelle for the pick of the round.

Challenge Cup RO16: 14-man Lions through, Cheetahs gone

The Lions produced a bruising attacking display to put a second-string Racing 92 outfit to the sword in a commanding 51-28 victory in Johannesburg on Saturday. With Ruan Venter in a starring role, the Pride overcame Emmanuel Tshituka’s sending off in the 18^th-minute to batter the French club into submission.

In Toulon, it was not to be for the Cheetahs, who just didn’t have enough to match Toulon at the Mayol, going down 36-21 on Saturday. In other results, Clermont beat Bristol 33-26 at Ashton Gate, Scarlets breezed past Brive 19-7 in Llanelli, reigning champs Lyon won 41-26 at Stade Francais, Benetton powered past Connacht 41-19 in Treviso, Glasgow cleaned up Dragons 73-33 at Scotstoun and Cardiff pipped Sale 28-27 at the Arms Park.

The quarterfinals will see Scarlets host Clermont, Lyon travel to Toulon, Benetton taking on Cardiff at the Communale and Glasgow and the Lions clash in Scotland.

Currie Cup R5: Griffons upset Bulls in Welkom

The Griffons earned their first Currie Cup Premier Division win since 1999 thanks to a 32-28 victory over the Blue Bulls in Welkom. Despite trailing 20-21 at half-time, two tries in the space of five-minutes gave the Purple People Eaters the boost they needed to bag a famous win.

Elsewhere, the Pumas maintained their perfect record thanks to a 61-21 defeat of the Cheetahs second-stringers in Bloemfontein, the Golden Lions outmatched the Sharks 34-22 in Joburg and Griquas claimed their second win in a 32-13 defeat of Western Province.

Hong Kong Sevens: Blitzies finish sixth, Kiwis conquer

A young and inexperienced Springbok Sevens side finished sixth at the Hong Kong event, collecting 12-log points to move from seventh to fifth on the overall standings. Sandile Ncobo’s charges failed to secure fifth place after falling to Argentina but will take their learnings into the Singapore leg this weekend.

In the HK Cup final, New Zealand beat Fiji 24-17 in a thriller to assume a 21-point lead at the summit of the overall standings over Argentina. Fiji (113-points), France (112) and SA (101) round out the top five.