Anton Taylor, whose highlight of his rugby career was placing second in a Pete Sampras lookalike competition at a club fundraiser, takes a look at some of the bigger, and smaller moments from Round 3 of an action-packed Vodacom Super Rugby weekend.
European Professional Club Rugby
SA teams look for improvement on Super SaturdayWhile the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Toyota Cheetahs will look to build on their encouraging starts to the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup last week, the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, and Emirates Lions will target a strong comeback after suffering defeats in the opening round of the European showpieces respectively last week.
European Professional Club Rugby
Less than ideal start for SA teams in EuropeThe Hollywoodbets Sharks kept the South African flag flying on the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, which saw defeats for the DHL Stormers and the Vodacom Bulls, while the Toyota Cheetahs managed a draw and the Emirates Lions slipped to a defeat in Wales in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
HSBC SVNS Cape Town
SA and NZ crowned Cape Town championsHosts South Africa beat Olympic champions France 26-14 to win a thriller of a men’s final and claim their first HSBC SVNS title in Cape Town in nine years, while New Zealand beat USA 26-12 to take women's title and lead the world series standings.
Review
Semi-finals decided at HSBC SVNS Cape TownThe semi-finalists were confirmed at the end of a thrilling first day at HSBC SVNS Cape Town and there was joy for the fervent home crowd as South Africa put both Argentina and Ireland to the sword to set up a men’s semi-final clash with Spain who continued the fine form that saw them reach their first world series final in Dubai last weekend.
European Professional Club Rugby
Five SA franchises switch into EPCR modeSouth Africa’s domestic franchises will launch their 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns this weekend in a jam-packed round of action.