The men from Johannesburg recorded their first victory of the European season when they beat Lyon 42-33 in an EPCR Challenge Cup clash in Johannesburg to keep their playoff aspirations alive. The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers, however, were all beaten in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday and Sunday.

The day started on a grim note in Pretoria, where the Bristol Bears overshadowed the Bulls to win a high-scoring clash by 61-49 on a sunny and warm afternoon at Loftus Versfeld, all but securing the win in the first 25 minutes when they scored 42 points. 

The Lions’ Batho Hlekani. Photo: X

Bulls vs. Bears

Despite never giving up, the Vodacom Bulls were made to pay for a sluggish start in which the English club scored three converted tries in the first seven minutes. Late tries by Sebastian de Klerk and Willie le Roux gave the Vodacom Bulls some hope, but they failed to capitalise and could only grab a try-scoring bonus point.

Vodacom Bulls 49 (28) – Tries: Jeandre Rudolph, Stravino Jacobs (2), Penalty try, David Kriel, Sebastian de Klerk, Willie le Roux. Conversions: Handre Pollard (6).

Bristol Bears 61 (47) – Tries: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Max Lahiff, Noah Heward (3), Kalaveti Ravouvou (2), Kieran Marmion, Pedro Rubiolo. Conversions: Tom Jordan (8).

Lions vs. Lyon

The Lions then beat Lyon 60km south at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, for their first win of the European season, outscoring their visitors from France by five tries to four, for the only South African victory on the day (42-33). 

The men from Johannesburg were impressive in the first half as they showed enterprise and determination on attack and supported this with solid defence, which saw them score four tries to two to seal their bonus point before the break. They added two more tries to three by the opposition in the second half to clinch the victory.

Lions 42 (28) – Tries: Batho Hlekani, Richard Kriel, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis, Angelo Davids, Morne Brandon. Conversions: Chris Smith (6).

Lyon 33 (14) – Tries: Charly Mignot, Alexandre Tchaptchet, Esteban Gonzalez, Mathis Sarragallet, Alfred Parisien. Conversions: Paddy Jackson (4).

Sharks vs. Sharks:

The Sharks started well in their clash against the Sale Sharks in Manchester, but in the end the hosts won by 26-10, with the visitors leaving England empty-handed. A strong second-half showing by the Sale Sharks saw them turn a narrow 7-3 halftime lead into an encouraging 26-10 victory at the CorpAcq Stadium in England, with the home side outscoring the visitors four tries to one for a handy bonus-point victory.

Sale Sharks 26 (7) – Tries: Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Tom O'Flaherty (2). Conversions: George Ford (3).

Hollywoodbets Sharks 10 (3) – Try: Manu Tshituka. Conversion: Siya Masuku. Penalty goal: Masuku.

Harlequins vs. Stormers:

It was one-way traffic for most of the match as Harlequins ran riot on attack to hand the Stormers, who rested several first-choice players, their first defeat in all competitions this season. Harlequins outscored the visitors from Cape Town by nine tries to two for a commanding 61-10 victory at the Stoop in London.

Harlequins 61 (33) – Tries: Jack Kenningham, Cadan Murley, Alex Dombrandt, Chandler Cunningham-South, Nick David (3), Zach Carr. Conversions: Marcus Smith (8).

DHL Stormers 10 (0) – Tries: Imad Khan, Dylan Maart.

Final pool round

The final pool round of the competition is next weekend, when the Bulls are away in France against Section Paloise on Friday (22:00). On Saturday, the Sharks host ASM Clermont Auvergne in Durban (15:00), and the Stormers take on the Leicester Tigers in Cape Town (17:15).

In the EPCR Challenge Cup fourth round, the Lions are away against Perpignan in France on Saturday (19:30), and Racing-92 host the Toyota Cheetahs on Sunday (19:30).

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger