The Stormers made a superb start to their Investec Champions Cup campaign in France, while there’s work to do for South Africa’s other four franchises.
Investec Champions Cup
The STORMERS are flying the flag for South Africa in Europe. The Cape side won their opening six games in the Vodacom URC and have carried that form and momentum into the Champions Cup.
In their opening clash away to Bayonne at the intimidating Stade Jean Dauger, not even a red card for lock Adré Smith and a later yellow card could derail the Stormers, who came away with an impressive 26-17 win.
MORE: Delighted Dobbo hails Stormers grit, depth
The Stormers return home – sort of – to face Pool 3 leaders La Rochelle in Gqeberha on Saturday. The Stormers sit third, only a bonus point behind next week’s opponents and Leinster.
A cohesive unit under the leadership of coach John Dobson and captain Salmaan Moerat, the Stormers will be able to welcome back some of their rested Springbok stars.
KEO: Super Stormers dream of Investec Champions Cup glory
In what is surely already one of the games of the tournament, the VODACOM BULLS went toe-to-toe with defending champions Bordeaux Bègles in Pretoria on Saturday, before succumbing 46-33.
But that will be little consolation for Bulls coach Johan Ackermann, who lamented his side’s costly mistakes and poor discipline. It was eerily reminiscent of the side’s 43-33 URC derby defeat to the Lions.
MORE: Ackers blasts Bulls’ discipline
The loss to Bordeaux puts the Bulls on the back foot with a trip to Northampton, who beat Pau, this weekend. The Bulls sit fifth in Pool 4 and have their work cut out.
The SHARKS were still absorbing the 12-week ban of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth when the announcement came that head coach John Plumtree would be stepping down early from his role – straight after their opening Champions Cup match against Toulouse, in fact – to make way for JP Pietersen as interim coach.
The clash away to the six-time champions saw an outgunned young Sharks team thrashed 56-19. It was a horrible watch for Sharks supporters, 28-0 down after only 24 minutes.
REPORT: Toulouse teach Sharks a lesson
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who together with other Bok stars should be back for the visit by Saracens on Saturday, did not mince his words recently, calling the Sharks’ season “really embarrassing”.
ALSO: Saracens lay down marker ahead of Sharks trip
The Toulouse blowout sees the Sharks sitting joint-last in Pool 1.
EPCR Challenge Cup
The LIONS went down 26-18 to Benetton at Ellis Park on Saturday in what coach Ivan van Rooyen described as “a very big disappointment”.
The home side led 18-11 before conceding two late tries and a drop goal.
MORE: Cash frustrated as Lions run out of gas
The defeat means an uphill battle to qualify from Pool 2 where the Joburg-based side sits fourth after round one.
This week they travel to Newcastle and a win will be imperative to keep their hopes of progressing to the playoffs alive.
The CHEETAHS suffered a sobering 42-12 defeat to the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday night that left them second from bottom in Pool 3 and already facing an uphill challenge to make the playoffs.
REPORT: Cheetahs crushed by clinical Exeter
Next up for the Cheetahs is a ‘home’ game against Stade Français, who thrashed Cardiff 38-17 in the first round. The match will take place at the Cheetahs’ European base, the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam.
Investec Champions Cup Round 1 results
Bayonne 17 Stormers 26
Sale Sharks 21 Glasgow Warriors 26
Saracens 47 Clermont 10
Bulls 33 Bordeaux Begles 46
La Rochelle 39 Leicester Tigers 20
Leinster 45 Harlequins 28
Scarlets 16 Bristol Bears 17
Bath 40 Munster 14
Pau 27 Northampton Saints 35
Toulouse 56 Sharks 19
Gloucester 34 Castres 14
Edinburgh 33 Toulon 20
Investec Champions Cup Round 2 fixtures (SA times)
Friday, 12 December
Leicester Tigers vs Leinster (10pm)
Saturday, 13 December
Stormers vs La Rochelle (3pm)
Sharks vs Saracens (5:15pm)
Clermont Auvergne vs Sale Sharks (5:15pm)
Bordeaux Bègles vs Scarlets (7:30pm)
Munster vs Gloucester (7:30pm)
Glasgow Warriors vs Toulouse (10pm)
Sunday, 14 December
Harlequins vs Bayonne (3pm)
Castres vs Edinburgh (3pm)
Toulon vs Bath (5:15pm)
Northampton Saints vs Bulls (5:15pm)
Bristol Bears vs Pau (7:30pm)
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 1 results
Ulster 61 Racing 92 7
Lions 18 Benetton 26
Stade Francais 38 Cardiff 17
Black Lion 13 Montpellier 24
Lyon 14 Newcastle Red Bulls 23
Zebre Parma 41 Montauban 17
Perpignan 41 Dragons 17
Ospreys 24 Connacht 21
Exeter Chiefs 42 Cheetahs 12
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 2 fixtures (SA times)
Friday, 12 December
Montpellier vs Zebre Parma (10pm)
Saturday, 13 December
Benetton vs Perpignan (3pm)
Cheetahs vs Stade Français (3pm)
Montauban vs Ospreys (5:15pm)
Newcastle Red Bulls vs Lions (7:30pm)
Cardiff vs Ulster (10pm)
Connacht vs Black Lion (10pm)
Sunday, 14 December
Racing 92 vs Exeter Chiefs (3pm)
Dragons vs Lyon (5:15pm)
Photo: Dave Winter/INPHO
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