State of the European cups: SA teams quick off the mark

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The Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Cheetahs kicked off their respective Champions and Challenge Cup campaigns on a winning note as five South African teams made their competition debuts.

In the Champions Cup, the Bulls got off to a flying start against Lyon at Loftus Versfeld as they scored 28 points in the first half-hour on Saturday, but they had to withstand a strong fightback from the French side to record a rewarding 42-36 victory, while the Sharks showed real grit to defeat Harlequins by 39-31 in Durban after losing prop Ox Nche (red card) and hooker Bongi Mbonambi (yellow).

However, the DHL Stormers let a 14-3 half-time lead slide against Clermont Auvergne in France, going down 24-14 in the end.

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs made a welcome return to international rugby with a 21-16 victory against Pau at Stade du Hameau in the Challenge Cup, before the Lions missed a crucial last-minute penalty forcing them to settle for a 31-31 draw against the Dragons in Johannesburg.

HIGHLIGHTS: Sharks & Bulls win thrillers, Stormers slump

For a round-up of the weekend’s action, see the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup match centres.

Looking ahead to Round 2 of the Champions Cup, the Sharks travel to France to face Bordeaux on Friday night (10pm), and less than 24 hours later, the Bulls take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park (3pm), before the Stormers look to make amends when they host London Irish in Cape Town (7:30pm).

In the Challenge Cup, the Lions welcome Stade Francais to Ellis Park on Friday (7:30pm), with the Cheetahs and Scarlets set to clash at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma on Saturday (7:15pm).

FYI: Guide to SA’s entry into Champions Cup

Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/Twitter

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Devin Hermanus