DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 17: Emmanuel Tshituka of the Hollywoodbets Sharks just short of the try line during the Investec Champions Cup match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and ASM Clermont Auvergne at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on January 17, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)
After the weekend’s Champions Cup fixtures, the Sharks dropped into the second-tier Challenge Cup while the Stormers and Bulls progressed to the Champions Cup round of 16, though neither will host their respective play-off.
The three South African teams all won their games on Friday and Saturday, but had to wait for other fixtures, one coming as late as Sunday night, to learn their fate.
The Stormers performed the best. With three wins out of four, they finished their pool in third place and will travel to Toulon on either 3, 4, or 5 April, to be confirmed.
After downing Leicester Tigers 39-26 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, they moved to second and had a chance of hosting their round of 16 match. However, Harlequins beat La Rochelle on Sunday to drop the Stormers to third place.
Bulls end losing run, Sharks drop despite victory
The Bulls ended their seven-match losing streak when they beat a second-string Pau. The French side had not lost at home all season and went down the wire in the 26-24 result.
The Bulls moved to third but needed Northampton Saints to beat Scarlets at home to ensure they remained in the top four. The English side obliged on Sunday, and the Bulls finished fourth in their table, qualifying even though that was their sole win so far.
They will travel to Glasgow Warriors on one of the abovementioned dates.
ALSO READ: ‘It’s only one win’: Bulls level-headed after reaching Champions Cup play-offs
The Sharks brought six Springboks back into their team and turned in a strong performance to beat Clermont 50-12. Their victory took them to fourth before Toulouse’s drubbing of Sale Sharks dropped them to fifth. They then needed Glasgow Warriors to beat Saracens by more than 48 points to move back up. Glasgow only won by 25 points.
So the Sharks finished fifth after two wins, and dropped into the Challenge Cup. They will travel to Connacht. The teams have clashed five times in the United Rugby Championship, with the Irish side winning the last four games.
ALSO READ: Pietersen: Lessons learned as Sharks face Champions Cup exit
About the Author
