The Vodacom Bulls fly the final remaining flag of South African groups in European competitions after a weekend the place they surprised a partisan Basque crowd to beat Bayonne whereas the Emirates Lions and Hollywoodbets Sharks fell by the wayside.
Jake White’s aspect will face Edinburgh within the early EPCR Problem Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, and can come head to head with Sean Everitt, who till he left for Edinburgh was considered one of White’s assistants on the Bulls.
Everitt’s time on the Sharks as effectively will give him a transparent thought of what to anticipate from the Bulls this weekend as he seems to take his workforce a step additional within the Problem Cup as effectively.
However in a weekend the place the outcomes have been underwhelming, the Bulls at the very least confirmed numerous struggle of their skill not solely to deal with the hostile environment in Bayonne, but in addition the problem that the French aspect introduced.
It was unusual to say, however the Bulls stored their cool whereas Bayonne misplaced their heads at occasions, arguing nearly each resolution with the referee.
And the best way the Bulls dealt with that was one thing that made White smile.
“The one factor I loved essentially the most is simply how we dealt with the group. It’s an enormous studying curve for South African sides after they play in France,” White mentioned afterwards.
“It’s distinctive, and particularly this Basque area. It’s typically a really powerful place to come back and play good rugby. I actually loved the best way we embraced the environment and the best way that we began.
WONDERFUL TRIES
“We scored some fantastic tries, and that’s additionally excellent for us as a result of it’ll give us confidence. To get a end result like that with the best way we performed is incredible.
“I can’t underplay the truth that while you’ve come to this area of France, it is rugby nation, and you’ll really feel it. It’s an honour, and it’s vital for our gamers too, as a result of for lots of them, that is the primary time they’ve been to this a part of the world.”
Understanding that they’re the final remaining SA workforce standing creates a little bit of a quandary for White, as he has two essential video games within the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in opposition to Munster and Glasgow Warriors away from residence after this, so participant administration will develop into an vital issue this week for the aspect.
The stand-out gamers for the Bulls have been captain Marcell Coetzee, who led from the entrance and was a simple man of the match candidate, whereas Akker van der Merwe and David Kriel each stood out as effectively.
Edinburgh scored thrice within the first half of their Friday night time win over the Lions, and whereas they didn’t run away with the sport, with the Lions doing higher within the second half with the wind at their backs, it was nonetheless a complete victory.
Scottish winger Darcy Graham was sensational as Edinburgh raced to a 17-0 lead earlier than halftime, and set the platform for the win.
FOURTH LOSS IN A ROW FOR LIONS
The loss was the fourth in a row in all competitions for the Lions, who’ve been disillusioned in the best way they’ve fallen away within the second half of the season.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen was disillusioned with the loss, which meant their three video games in Europe gave them no pleasure and all ticked within the loss column.
“We’re fairly disillusioned with the loss and the 2 earlier outcomes. It’s three very totally different video games by way of climate and exams, so lots to study from the tour and lots to enhance,” mentioned Van Rooyen.
“There was nonetheless some good character and struggle. I believe if I take a look at the second half in opposition to Glasgow, not conceding something after being smashed within the first half, and once more on Friday, we confirmed some good character and struggle.
“Nonetheless, that speaks to our begin. We’re fairly disillusioned with our first 40 minutes within the final two video games and simply the consistency thereof. So it’s not an effort factor, it’s simply the consistency.
SHARKS LOSS NO SURPRISE
The Sharks most likely misplaced the sport in opposition to Lyon earlier than they obtained onto the aircraft, as they chose a second string outfit to journey, leaving nearly all of their Galacticos at residence and it wasn’t a shock when the Durban workforce struggled to comprise the facility sport of Lyon, who scored three first half tries to stitch up the match early.
However the Sharks wouldn’t have been proud of their very own defensive errors, which led to these tries, and contributed to their very own downfall.
Assistant coach Joey Mongalo mentioned afterwards the sturdy wind within the first half helped Lyon get on prime.
“It gave them territory and possession. The primary 10 minutes of the sport confirmed the sport we wished to play and was effectively executed. I used to be very happy with the boys for getting collectively for 3 days and executing the plan so effectively. However then within the subsequent 20 minutes we misplaced the territory battle and so they obtained numerous 22m entries and we might have been higher defensively.
“If we had circled one rating much less with the wind at our backs, we might have executed lots higher. We had all of the possession and territory the primary 20 minutes of the second half and if we had completed one or two of these possibilities early we might have made a shout of it.”
Of the opposite outcomes, Johann van Graan’s Tub have been spectacular of their away win in opposition to Pau, nearly placing up 50 factors whereas Connacht, Ospreys, Gloucester and Racing 92 all superior.
RESULTS
Edinburgh 24 Emirates Lions 12
Part Paloise 24 Tub 49
Aviron Bayonnais 22 Vodacom Bulls 32
Montpellier 17 Gloucester 24
Perpignan 18 Racing 92 24
Connacht 35 Cardiff 20
Lyon 34 Sharks 21
Ospreys 36 Scarlets 14
QUARTER-FINALS
(Pool stage rankings in brackets)
Saturday 12 April
QF 3: Edinburgh Rugby (3) v Vodacom Bulls (11), Hive Stadium (1:30pm)
QF 4: Ospreys (4) v Lyon Olympique Universitaire (5), Swansea.com Stadium (6:30pm)
QF 1: Connacht Rugby (1) v Racing 92 (9), Dexcom Stadium (9pm)
Sunday 13 April
QF 2: Tub Rugby (10) v Gloucester Rugby (15), The Recreation Floor (6:30pm)
Semifinals – 2/3/4/ Might
SF 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 4
SF 2: winner QF 2 v winner QF 3
NB The matches will probably be performed in Europe and the highest-ranked golf equipment from the pool stage can have residence venue benefit
2025 EPCR Problem Cup closing: Friday 23 Might; Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
