We reflect on round three of the Champions and Challenge Cup which saw some promising performances from the South African franchises.
Champions Cup R3: Wins for Stormers and Bulls
On Friday, the Bulls produced one of their best performances this season to bash Bristol Bears into submission and earn a crucial 31-17 win at Ashton Gate. Jake White’s men were dominant from start to finish and occupy third in Pool 1 ahead of their date with rampant Bordeaux at Loftus this weekend.
In Cape Town on Saturday, the Stormers were too good for Sale Sharks and claimed a 31-24 win to go second in Pool 4. The hosts treated the Cape public to some characteristically sparkling rugby, with Man of the Match Hacjivah Dayimani positively shining in broken field play.
In another cracker of a matchup on Sunday, Bath managed to trump Racing 92 29-25 at The Rec after trailing 8-22 at one stage in the second half. Despite talented No 8 Alfie Barbeary receiving two yellow cards on the day, the hosts showed massive character to hold out for the victory and secure round of 16 qualification. The Parisians are fifth in Pool 2 but remain in the hunt themselves after collecting a losing bonus point
See the full set of results below:
- Northampton 61-14 Bayonne
- Exeter 19-17 Glasgow
- Lyon 34-20 Connacht
- Bristol 17-31 Bulls
- Toulon 18-29 Munster
- Stormers 31-24 Sale
- Leinster 43-7 Stade Francais
- Ulster 24-48 Toulouse
- Cardiff 15-54 Harlequins
- Cardiff 15-54 Harlequins
- La Rochelle 45-12 Leicester Tigers
- Bordeaux 55-15 Saracens
What a sensational moment. Sergeal Petersen steals the spotlight with the try of the first half for the Bulls against the Bears 🏉🎯
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 13, 2024
📱 Stream #InvestecChampionsCup live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/kH5rRMtWb1
Challenge Cup R3: Hollywoodbets Sharks bounce back at the Tank
The Hollywoodbets Sharks secured just their third game in all competitions this season in a thumping 38-7 defeat of a second-string Oyonnax outfit at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. The result puts the Durbanites top of Pool 1, with a trip to Rodney Parade to tackle Dragons next up for them.
The Cheetahs “hosted” Pau in Amsterdam on Sunday and fell to a disappointing 33-20 defeat. Hawies Fourie’s side are second in Pool 1 and will still be confident of progression to the next round ahead of their visit to Oyonnax this weekend.
The Lions were beaten 3-13 in Montpellier in a low-scoring affair at the GGL Stadium. That defeat was the Joburgers’ first in the competition this season, and they currently sit third with play-off qualification still in their hands.
See the full set of results below:
Newcastle 18-57 Benetton
Ospreys 25-3 Perpignan
Hollywoodbets Sharks 38-7 Oyonnax
Clermont Auvergne 38-17 Scarlets
Castres 28-6 Black Lion
Zebre 20-17 Dragons
Edinburgh 20-21 Gloucester
Cheetahs 20-33 Pau
𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 1️⃣9️⃣-0️⃣ 𝐎𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐱
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 13, 2024
Half-time euphoria for the Sharks against Oyonnax. Makazole Mapimpi lights up the Shark Tank with a brilliant try 🏉💨
📱 Stream #EPCR live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/p7clqXw0eD
