Five SA sides seek strong start as European competitions kick off

The five South African teams participating in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup competitions faced a fresh challenge as they switched their focus from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to the first round of the European tournaments, where all sides aimed to make a strong statement. The Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, and 10bet Lions competed in the Investec Champions Cup, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks, who were crowned champions in the 2023/24 season, and the Toyota Cheetahs battled in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

All three Investec Champions Cup teams played on Saturday. The Vodacom Bulls faced Stade Francais in Pretoria at 14h00, followed by the DHL Stormers against Bristol Bears in Cape Town at 16h15. The 10bet Lions had a tough task in France, making their debut against former champions Stade Rochelais in La Rochelle at 18h30. For the EPCR Challenge Cup, both matches took place in France, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks first lining up against LOU Rugby in Lyon at 14h00, while the Toyota Cheetahs faced Aviron Bayonnais on Sunday at 14h00 in Bayonne.

The Vodacom Bulls entered their match against Stade Francais with confidence after their emphatic 57-15 victory against the 10bet Lions the previous weekend. With two wins and a narrow defeat in the Vodacom URC in recent weeks, they aimed to secure a strong start to improve on their Round of 16 finish from last year. However, they were wary of the French team, who won three of their six Top 14 matches and sought to recover from their away form.

The DHL Stormers, equally confident after a spectacular display against the Hollywoodbets Sharks, aimed to continue their positive momentum. Their 39-22 victory was complemented by only one defeat in the Vodacom URC, bolstering their chances against the Bristol Bears, who were determined to bounce back from a heavy loss to Saracens.

The clash between Stade Rochelais and the 10bet Lions promised excitement, with the Lions eager to recover from their previous week's defeat, while Stade Rochelais had been performing well in the Top 14.

In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Hollywoodbets Sharks aimed to build on their strong Vodacom URC form against LOU Rugby, who were struggling in the Top 14. The Toyota Cheetahs faced a challenging encounter against Aviron Bayonnais, who were positioned fourth in the Top 14 standings.

The upcoming matches were crucial for all the teams, as they sought to establish themselves early in their respective competitions and to advance further in the rounds of European rugby.