Vodacom United Rugby Championship

The two South African derbies in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to kick off the new year both went down to the wire, with the Lions and DHL Stormers taking the spoils over the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls in two nail-biting and hard-fought encounters.

Vodacom United Rugby Championship

With big crowds enjoying the South African summer weather at the two local Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies in Cape Town and Durban, the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks were too good for their Gauteng visitors on Saturday.

Investec Champions Cup & EPCR Challenge Cup

The DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks kept the South African flag flying in the second round of the Investec Champions Cup this past weekend, as they registered vital victories against Stade Rochelais and Saracens, while the Vodacom Bulls succumbed to a heavy defeat against the Northampton Saints in a respectable weekend for South Africa’s teams.

Investec Champions Cup & EPCR Challenge Cup

While the DHL Stormers will have their sights set on continuing their formidable form this season when they line up against Stade Rochelais in round two of the Investec Champions Cup this weekend, the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Cheetahs, and Lions will be desperate to bounce back from disappointing defeats in their opening Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches to stay in the race for the playoffs.

Investec Champions Cup & EPCR Challenge Cup

The DHL Stormers provided the only ray of light in a bleak opening weekend of European rugby for the five South African teams, as they toppled Aviron Bayonnais in France, while the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Lions, and Toyota Cheetahs all faltered in their Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches.