Stormers provide a silver lining

South African fans expected much more from their teams going into the third round of the Champions Cup after just one win to speak of in their first six games (Sharks beat Exeter Chiefs).

- Nicholas Zaal

While the Stormers delivered against Sale Sharks, winning 40-0 with a bonus point, the Sharks struggled as expected against a superior Toulouse side amid an injury-hampered season, losing 20-8.

The Bulls contested well in the first-half against Castres Olympique, but the inexperience of their young side became evident as Castres ran away in the second-half (final score 49-10), leaving the Bulls eliminated from making the play-offs after three games. Now, the Bulls must hope for a fifth-place finish after their final pool match against Stade Français, just to qualify for the second-tier Challenge Cup round-of-16.