Mixed fortunes in a brutal week

INJURIES: SHARKS AND STORMERS PAY A HEAVY PRICE

- Jacques van der Westhuyzen

It was a brutal first round of Champions Cup action for the three South African teams and it doesn't get any easier this coming week.

While the Sharks recorded an important victory at home, they suffered several injuries to key players and will have an anxious wait to see who is available for this coming weekend's match against Leicester in England.

But, the Bulls and Stormers both lost their opening games and also suffered injuries – and they, too, will have their work cut out to get patched up ahead of matches against Northampton (at home) and Harlequins (away) respectively.