South African rugby supporters were taken on a full emotional rollercoaster this weekend as the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls delivered three very different stories in the Investec Champions Cup.
From attacking brilliance in Gqeberha, to gritty survival in Durban, to a sobering reality check in England, it was a reminder that European rugby offers no hiding place, no matter how strong your pedigree.
Stormers Turn Gqeberha Into A Fortress For One Night
Source: DHL Stormers on X
With Cape Town unavailable, the Stormers packed their bags and took the Investec Champions Cup rugby to Gqeberha. The Eastern Cape crowd was rewarded with a performance that felt part celebration, part statement.
The Stormers ran in six tries on their way to a commanding 42-21 win over French heavyweights La Rochelle, keeping their perfect record intact across both the URC and Europe.
They came out firing, with Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas crossing early as the home side raced into a double-digit lead. Even with missed conversions, the tempo never dropped. La Rochelle hit back through their powerful maul, but the Stormers controlled territory and scoreboard pressure through Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s boot.
The second half followed a familiar Stormers script. A maul try from Andre-Hugo Venter set the tone before a yellow card briefly gave La Rochelle hope. That hope didn’t last long. Maart completed his brace, Warrick Gelant added his own flourish, and Marcel Theunissen sealed it late.
Sharks Deliver Grit Over Glamour In Durban
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If the Stormers were all about flow and flair, the Sharks’ win was built on heart, muscle and resilience.
Under new interim coach JP Pietersen, the Durban side edged Saracens 28-23 in wet and punishing conditions at Kings Park. It was not pretty, but it was deeply satisfying for a fan base desperate to see fight and belief restored.
The Sharks struck early through a rolling maul, with Siya Kolisi grounding to set the tone. Saracens responded, and for a spell it looked like the visitors’ composure might tell as they nudged ahead.
Instead, the Sharks rallied. Aphelele Fassi and Edwill van der Merwe finished sharp attacking moves before the break, swinging momentum back to the hosts. The defining moment came in the second half when Saracens were reduced to 14 men. Within minutes, Ethan Hooker split the line and Grant Williams raced away to score a crucial try.
Saracens pushed late, but the Sharks held firm, even while down a man themselves in the closing stages.
Bulls Outclassed As European Reality Bites Hard
While the coast celebrated, Pretoria endured a harsh lesson at Franklin’s Gardens.
An understrength Bulls side was dismantled 50-5 by Northampton Saints, conceding eight tries in a performance that raised uncomfortable questions about depth, discipline and defensive identity.
Northampton were relentless from the opening minute, running harder, breaking tackles with ease and punishing every Bulls mistake. George Hendy’s hat-trick underlined the gulf between the sides, while the statistics told an even grimmer story for the visitors.
The Bulls’ lone highlight came through Stravino Jacobs, who capitalised on a rare error to score. Beyond that, it was one-way traffic.
Discipline again proved costly. A yellow card midway through the second half opened the floodgates, with Northampton piling on points at will. The Bulls’ defensive record in the competition now makes for grim reading and has sparked debate among supporters back home.
Three Teams, Three Lessons
This weekend summed up South African rugby’s current European journey.
The Stormers look settled, confident and fearless, even away from home. The Sharks are rediscovering their edge through effort and belief. The Bulls, meanwhile, face hard questions about balance, discipline and long-term direction.
Read more rugby news on: SA Rugby Mag
Source: Various
Featured Image Source: DHL Stormers on X
