Sourced from an SA Rugby media release
South African rugby produced a mixed but encouraging return in Europe this weekend, with the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks recording important Investec Champions Cup victories, while the Vodacom Bulls suffered a heavy defeat in England.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Toyota Cheetahs and Lions endured another frustrating round, both slipping to second successive losses.
The DHL Stormers set the tone on Saturday with an emphatic 42–21 win over Stade Rochelais at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
The result extended the Cape side’s unbeaten run this season to eight matches and propelled them to the top of their Champions Cup pool with nine points.
The Stormers struck early, crossing twice inside the opening seven minutes through Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas. Despite seeing two further potential tries ruled out, they maintained control of the contest.
Stade Rochelais clawed their way back with a converted try midway through the first half, narrowing the gap, but two crucial penalties from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ensured the hosts went into the break leading 16–7.
Andre-Hugo Venter added the Stormers’ third try shortly after halftime. Although a yellow card to Neethling Fouche allowed the French visitors to briefly close the margin, however, the Stormers responded decisively. Further tries from Maart, Warrick Gelant and Marcel Theunissen sealed a comprehensive victory, limiting La Rochelle to a single score in the final quarter.
In Durban, the Hollywoodbets Sharks ground out a hard-fought 28–23 win over Saracens at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, marking a positive start under interim head coach JP Pietersen.
Adverse weather conditions dictated a forward-dominated contest, with heavy rain and strong winds reducing opportunities for expansive rugby.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi opened the scoring with a maul try early on, but Saracens responded strongly to take a 15–7 lead midway through the first half. The Sharks hit back through Aphelele Fassi and Edwill van der Merwe, with George Whitehead’s accurate kicking handing the hosts a 21–15 advantage at halftime.
A second-half penalty by Saracens brought them within striking distance before a yellow card swung momentum back in the Sharks’ favour. Grant Williams capitalised with a crucial try, extending the lead to 28 points. Despite conceding late and playing the closing minutes with a man in the sin bin, the Sharks defended resolutely to deny Saracens a final scoring opportunity.
The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, endured a difficult outing in England, going down 50–5 to Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday.
While the first half remained competitive, with the Bulls trailing 14–5 at the break after a try from Stravino Jacobs, the contest slipped away after halftime.
Northampton capitalised on sustained pressure and a yellow card to Alulutho Tshakweni late in the third quarter, scoring three quick tries to secure a bonus point before adding two more in the closing stages. George Hendy completed a hat-trick as the Saints ran in eight tries in total.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Toyota Cheetahs were overpowered in the second half by Stade Français, who turned a narrow halftime deficit into a 45–22 victory in Amsterdam. After trailing 17–14 at the break, the French side scored four unanswered tries to put the game beyond reach, despite late resistance from the Free Staters.
The Lions came agonisingly close to a first win in the competition but were denied by a late try from Newcastle Falcons, who edged the Johannesburg side 14–10 at Kingston Park. The Lions enjoyed long spells of possession but struggled to convert pressure into points, a shortcoming that proved costly when Newcastle struck two minutes from time.
Furthermore, after two rounds, the Stormers sit top of their Champions Cup pool, while the Sharks and Bulls occupy fifth place in theirs. In the Challenge Cup, the Lions and Toyota Cheetahs find themselves in fourth and fifth positions respectively, leaving little margin for error when the competition resumes in January.
Attention now turns back to domestic action, with the Vodacom United Rugby Championship continuing through the festive period. On 20 December, log leaders the DHL Stormers host the Lions in Cape Town, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks face the Vodacom Bulls in Durban.
The local derbies resume on 3 January 2026, setting up an intense start to the new year for South Africa’s franchises.
What are your thoughts on the matches? Let us know below.
Do not forget to read, World Rugby Is Trying To Slow The Springboks—But Rassie’s New Era Is Already Unstoppable, if you missed it.
FAQs:
The DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks both recorded victories in the Investec Champions Cup, defeating Stade Rochelais and Saracens respectively.
The Vodacom Bulls suffered a heavy defeat in England, losing 50–5 to Northampton Saints in their second-round fixture.
Both the Lions and Toyota Cheetahs lost their second matches of the competition, with the Lions narrowly beaten by Newcastle Falcons and the Cheetahs going down to Stade Français.
The DHL Stormers top their Investec Champions Cup pool, while the Sharks and Bulls sit fifth in their respective pools. In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions and Toyota Cheetahs are currently outside the playoff positions.
Attention now shifts back to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, with local derby matches scheduled for 20 December and again on 3 January 2026.
