SA SIDES SERVE UP MASSIVE CHAMPIONS CUP MOMENTS
South African rugby fans were treated to an action-packed weekend in the Champions Cup with a mix of eye-catching performances, gritty wins and some worrying signs that there’s still work to do across the board.
The Sharks arguably stole the show at Kings Park in Durban, putting on an absolute clinic in a 50-12 bonus-point rout of Clermont.
After a nervy first half that saw them only edge a 14-12 lead, JP Pietersen’s side flipped the switch after the break, running in seven tries and completely overwhelming their French opponents with relentless tempo and energy.
Aphelele Fassi scored twice, while Jaden Hendrickse, Vincent Koch, PK Sobahle, Siya Masuku, Phepsi Buthelezi and Jurenzo Julius also touched down in a dominant second-half display that had the home crowd buzzing.
Sharks coach Pietersen was thrilled with the way his players stuck to their high-tempo game plan, believing it ultimately wore Clermont down and contributed to several visiting cards.
However, even with the big win, their place in the round of 16 remains out of their hands, with the French heavyweights of Toulouse securing second in the group.
The Stormers also secured progression with a 39-26 victory over Leicester Tigers in Cape Town. Despite earning the points they needed to stay in the competition, their game was marred by unforced errors and shaky game management, something critics and fans alike will want ironed out ahead of tougher knockout rugby.
Captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and co showed flashes of quality, but there were definite patches where the side looked sloppy and gave their opponents needless opportunities.
The Bulls snapped a long Champions Cup losing streak with a hard-fought 26-24 win over Pau in France. It wasn’t pretty, but they showed character and fight to grind out a result after a rough run of results.
Coach Johan Ackermann was full of praise for his squad’s commitment and grit, acknowledging that while this win doesn’t solve all their problems, it’s an important step forward and a reminder of what they’re capable of when they keep it simple and stick to basics.
Overall, it was a weekend filled with big wins and strong individual displays, with momentum building in places. There’s certainly plenty to be excited about as the knockout rounds start to loom.
Image credit: The Citizen