European Rugby Wrap: Bulls and Stormers Win Big as Sharks Stun Lyon

The Bulls and Stormers opened their 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup campaigns with commanding home wins, while the Sharks produced South Africa’s most dramatic finish of the European rugby weekend. Their 40–33 victory in Lyon completed a Saturday treble, before the Cheetahs fell agonisingly short in Bayonne on Sunday, 18 October.

The weekend also brought profound sadness. Lions lock Hyron Andrews died while on tour in France, and his teammates went ahead with their Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle in his honour. Their 31–14 defeat belongs in that context.

European rugby weekend results

All five South African fixtures are complete. The opening round produced three wins, two defeats and the following pool returns:

Our Champions Cup and Challenge Cup format explainer explains how these match points affect qualification.

The Bulls and Stormers finished the round on top of their respective pools. The Sharks sit third in theirs, the Cheetahs fourth and the Lions sixth, according to the official Champions Cup standings and Challenge Cup standings.

Sharks find the winning answer after the hooter

Litelihle Bester supplied the decisive moment in Lyon, scoring his second try after the hosts had drawn level at 33–33. Jordan Hendrikse converted to finish an 11-try contest and secure four valuable points away from home.

The official Lyon match record captures how sharply the game turned. Zekhethelo Siyaya’s try and Hendrikse’s conversion had put the Sharks 33–21 ahead, before Lyon fought back through Guillaume Lorre and Baptiste Couilloud. Bester then settled it with the clock beyond 80 minutes.

This was a meaningful return from a touring group selected while Springboks took mandatory rest. Nick Hatton captained the side, with Hendrikse at flyhalf and Stephan Lewies in the second row. The result gives the Sharks something tangible to build on when their coaches weigh rotation through the rest of the tour.

There was no attacking bonus point. The Sharks won the try count 6–5, leaving them short of this season’s requirement to score at least three more tries than the opposition. Lyon collected a losing bonus point.

Bulls turn a fast start into eight tries

The Bulls beat Stade Français 56–20 at Loftus Versfeld, scoring eight tries and taking the maximum five match points. Cheswill Jooste struck in the opening minute, helping the hosts establish early control.

Stade Français’ own report gives the final margin useful context. The visitors scored twice after the interval through Jacques Botha and Petero Mailulu, reducing the deficit to eight points before the Bulls pulled away again. Three late tries widened the gap substantially.

For bettors, that sequence is more informative than the final margin alone. The Bulls sustained their scoring threat late in the game, but there was also a period when the contest tightened. A future large minus handicap still needs an assessment of the opposition and the selected replacements.

Stormers take five points despite disciplinary setbacks

The Stormers’ 49–12 victory over Bristol contained seven tries, two each from Jonathan Roche and Leolin Zas, and seven successful conversions from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Paul de Villiers captained a side that finished strongly at DHL Stadium.

Their official match report also records the complications. JJ Kotzé received a 20-minute red card, while Zas was shown yellow after a high tackle that caused Cobus Reinach’s apparent interception try to be disallowed.

Roche’s second try helped restore control, and the Stormers added further scores through Warrick Gelant, André-Hugo Venter and Zas. The result rewards their attacking quality and goal-kicking accuracy. Kotzé’s disciplinary outcome remains an availability issue to follow before judging the next selected pack.

Lions play through an exceptionally difficult weekend

The Lions scored through Henco van Wyk and Morné Brandon, with Chris Smith converting both tries, and trailed La Rochelle only 19–14 at half-time. The French side added two unanswered tries after the break to win 31–14 and take a bonus point.

SA Rugby confirmed Andrews’ passing on Friday, 16 October. His teammates’ decision to play gave their first Champions Cup appearance a significance beyond the result.

The Lions now have no match points in Pool 2, with Toulouse next in Europe. Their next sporting assessment will need to account for the selected team and opposition, while recognising the exceptional circumstances of this opening match.

Cheetahs leave Bayonne with a point and a missed opportunity

The Cheetahs overturned a 22–13 half-time deficit to lead Bayonne 27–22. Second-half tries from CJ Coetzee and Louis van der Westhuizen, both converted by Tiaan Swanepoel, put an away victory within reach.

Herschel Jantjies then scored Bayonne’s fifth try, and Rob du Preez’s conversion proved decisive in the hosts’ 29–27 win. Swanepoel had also missed two second-half penalty attempts while the Cheetahs held their five-point advantage.

The Cheetahs took a losing bonus point, which leaves them ahead of Perpignan and Zebre in Pool 1. Their next European assignment is against Dragons at St Helen’s in Swansea. The narrow margin provides encouragement, although finishing opportunities remains a clear area for improvement.

December brings a different set of tests

The South African URC franchises now return to league duties before their next European fixtures in December. On 12 December, the Bulls visit Montpellier, the Lions host Toulouse and the Sharks welcome Scarlets. The following day, the Stormers travel to Bordeaux Bègles and the Cheetahs face Dragons in Swansea.

Those assignments change the comparison. The Bulls and Stormers must take their attacking performances into French away fixtures, while the Sharks have an opportunity to build on their travelling win at home. With only three pool matches remaining, December’s selections will carry considerable weight.

Scout Says

The Betting Read

Our strongest takeaway is the Sharks’ evidence of depth: they won away with a changed group and recovered after surrendering a sizeable lead. Conceding five tries still leaves a defensive question when assessing future opposition team totals or a demanding Sharks handicap.

The Bulls and Stormers delivered the home victories anticipated in our opening-weekend preview. Their next European games offer a tougher examination of how that form travels. We would assess December’s squads and venue conditions afresh before translating either win into an outright or handicap recommendation.

The Cheetahs’ two-point defeat also shows why naming a winner and judging a handicap are separate decisions. A competitive losing performance can matter to the latter, but the actual line and price decide its betting value.

South Africa has a useful platform for Round 2

Five points each give the Bulls and Stormers strong starts, and the Sharks’ away victory creates room to build their campaign around two upcoming home fixtures. The Cheetahs remain in touch through their losing bonus point. The Lions face a demanding sporting task after a weekend that should first be remembered for the loss of a teammate.

For the next betting decision, focus on confirmed availability and how each selected side matches its opponent. Explore our sports betting guides before comparing the next available prices.

Welcome bonus

50 No-Deposit Free Spins + R25 Sports Bonus

New customers only. Free spins and R25 bonus must be used within 24 hours. T&Cs apply.

CLAIM NOW ↗

Affiliate disclosure: StraightBet may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. This does not affect our editorial independence. 18+ only. Bet responsibly. Winners know when to stop. Get help and support.

18+ only. Betting carries risk, so keep it within your means. This guide is written for South African residents and refers to operators licensed by provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Act. If gambling is taking a toll on you or someone you know, the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0800 006 008, or text HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.