The Sharks, however, endured a difficult evening in Galway to round off a mixed weekend for South Africa’s franchises.

The Stormers held their nerve and found their rhythm when it mattered most, overturning a 21-6 half-time deficit to beat Munster 27-21 at a frosty Thomond Park on Saturday night. The result keeps the Capetonians unbeaten this season and marks one of their most memorable away wins in the URC era.

Dylan Maart on his DHL Stormers debut ??

The cross-kick is perfect from Jurie Matthee which sets up a must-see final 10 minutes ??

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 29, 2025

Their first 40 minutes were far from polished. Discipline issues saw them play 20 minutes with 14 men after early yellow cards to lock Connor Evans and flank Marcel Theunissen. Munster capitalised effectively, with Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett and Jack Crowley all crossing as the hosts surged into a convincing lead.

Jurie Matthee kept the Stormers in the contest with two penalties, but it was clear that a drastic shift in energy, composure and physicality would be needed after the break.

The turnaround began up front, where the Stormers pack rediscovered their edge and began to win collisions. Replacement lock Adré Smith muscled over to spark the comeback, before Griquas loan winger Dylan Maart announced himself with a well-taken try 12 minutes from time while on debut.

The decisive moment, though, came three minutes later when centre Ruhan Nel read a loose pass perfectly and sprinted away to score under the posts, stunning the Limerick crowd into silence. Matthee added the extras to put the Stormers in front for the first time since the opening minutes, and they closed out the match with maturity and grit.

John Dobson’s men now shift focus to the Investec Champions Cup, where Bayonne and La Rochelle await in consecutive weeks.

Scorers:

Stormers: Tries – Adré Smith, Dylan Maart, Ruhan Nel Conversions - Jurie Matthee 3 Pen. – Matthee 2

Munster: Tries - Tadgh Beirne, John Hodnett, Jack Crowley Conv. - Crowley 3

Eduan Keyter - Johan Orton

Earlier on Saturday, the Lions recorded their first victory at Loftus Versfeld since March 2023, toppling the Bulls 43-33 in a free-flowing Jukskei derby that delivered nine tries and plenty of drama.

The visitors raced into a 17-0 lead courtesy of a Chris Smith penalty, a brilliant chase-and-score from winger Kelly Mpeku, and a slick finish by scrumhalf Nico Steyn after a powerful carry and offload from Ruan Venter.

The Bulls responded through two quick tries by Embrose Papier-both sparked by sharp breaks from Sebastian de Klerk and Stravino Jacobs - before Akker van der Merwe’s maul try kept them within striking distance at 22-19 at half-time.

But the Lions showed impressive composure after the break. A massive scrum penalty on their own 5m line and a crucial turnover from Etienne Oosthuizen halted the Bulls’ early momentum. Moments later, centre Bronson Mills delivered a pinpoint 50-22, and from the resulting lineout Oosthuizen powered over to restore a 10-point buffer.

With the Bulls chasing the game, the Lions struck again through Eduan Keyter and a second try for Steyn, both converted by Smith, to surge into an unassailable 41-19 lead. Two late Bulls tries ensured a bonus point for the home side, but the Lions’ clinical finishing and set-piece resilience earned them a deserved win.

They now prepare for Benetton in next weekend’s EPCR Challenge Cup, while the Bulls brace for a formidable Champions Cup showdown against defending champions Bordeaux Bègles.

Scores:

Bulls: Tries - Akker van der Merwe, Embrose Papier 2, Keagan Johannes, Sebastian de Klerk Conv. - Keagan Johannes 4

Lions: Tries - Etienne Oosthuizen, Jarod Cairns, Nico Steyn 2, Kelly Mpeku, Eduan Keyter Conv. - Chris Smith 5 Pen. - Chris Smith

Connacht vs. Sharks - Connacht

The Sharks’ momentum from their pre-break victory evaporated in Galway, where Connacht delivered a commanding 44-17 defeat to drop John Plumtree’s side to 14th on the URC table.

Fez Mbatha gave the visitors a bright start, but Connacht quickly seized control through dominant kicking, relentless breakdown pressure and disciplined phase play. Fullback Sean Naughton dictated proceedings with three penalties and two conversions as the Irish outfit surged to a 23-5 lead at the break.

Despite a second-half strike from Makazole Mapimpi, further tries by Hugh Gavin, Matthew Devine and Sam Illo sealed a comprehensive win for Connacht. Replacement lock Emile van Heerden crossed late for the Sharks, but the result had long been settled.

The Durban side face an even sterner test next weekend when they travel to France to meet six-time European champions Toulouse in the Champions Cup opener.

Scorers:

Connacht: Tries - Paul Boyle, Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Matthew Devine, Sam IIIo Conv. - Sean Naughton 5 Pen. - Naughton 3

Sharks: Tries - Fez Mbatha, Makazole Mapimpi, Emile van Heerden Conv. - Jaden Hendrikse

Morgan Piek OFM Sport