Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stormers and Bulls all come good on European rugby weekend as we reflect on round three of the Champions and Challenge Cup which saw some promising performances from the South African franchises.
Aphelele Fassi of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the EPCR Challenge Cup Match (Pic – Steve Haag Sports)
Champions Cup R3: Wins for Stormers and Bulls
Last 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.
Here’s a look at the full set of results:
- 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
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.
Here’s a look at the full set of results:
- 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
