On Friday evening (16/1), the Bulls fought hard to rally from 12 points down to beat French side PAU 26-24 and end their seven match losing streak in the process. The win improves their chances of reaching the Champions Cup playoffs.

The Sharks also ended off their pool phase of Champions Cup on a high, beating Clermont Auvergne 50-12 in their Pool 1 clash in Durban on Saturday. But French powerhouse side Toulouse won their fixture against Sale Sharks and they will not advance to the Round of 16. 

Clermont paid for poor discipline with a 20-minute red card and two yellows. But the Sharks stepped up to the plate in the second-half, extending their 14-12 half-time lead with six tries.

Aphelele Fassi. Photo: X (Supersport Rugby)

The Stormers picked up the five log points they needed with a 39-26 win over Leicester Tigers in their final pool stage Champions Cup match in Cape Town on Saturday. 

The win means the Stormers move into second position overnight in their pool and will secure home ground advantage in their Round of 16 game in April if home side La Rochelle beat Harlequins on Sunday afternoon.

And even though they did not lose, the Lions are out of the EPCR Challenge Cup as they fought to a 20-all draw with French side Perpignan in a dramatic final pool game. 

With both sides coming into the final game with six points, and the winner-takes-all scenario set to play out, the Lions led 20-10 going into the last quarter but allowed the home side to come back at them, and never gave themselves the chance to win the game.

Lions vs Perpignan. Photo: X (Supersport Rugby)

On Sunday afternoon, the Toyota Cheetahs will finish their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign when they take on Racing 92 in a clash for pride at the Paris La Défense Arena. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:30 (19:30 SA time).

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg