Ben-Jansen Dixon of the Stormers holds on for dear life onto Lukhanyo Am, captain of Hollywoodbets Sharks during the 2024 United Rugby Championship 2023/24 game between the Sharks and Stormers at Kings Park Stadium on 17 February 2023 ©Gerhard Duraan/Sports Inc
South African Bulls reached Champions Cup quarter-finals after defeating Lyon 59-19 in Pretoria, showcasing their dominance and cutting-edge play against a top 14 team.
Sebastian de Klerk, Embrose Papier, and Marcell Coetzee scored three goals in the first half, while Martin Page-Relo reduced arrears. Ruan Vermaak eased them 28-7 at the interval.
Lyon received a penalty try in the second period, but failed to capitalize. The Bulls scored through Willie le Roux and Papier, while Moodie was off field. David Kriel, Chris Smith, and De Klerk added to the score.
Lyon’s second-string team struggled in the Champions Cup round-of-16 tie, making numerous mistakes and facing ruthless opponents.
Le Roux’s pass allowed De Klerk to score, and Papier scored a goal after an error. Kurt-Lee Arendse’s goal was also credited, but Lyon’s slow reaction to the turnover reflected their performance.
South Africans scored 21 points in a match against the Bulls, with Coetzee’s try and Page-Pelo’s bizarre try restoring their lead. The visitors responded with a try by Page-Pelo.
Lyon improved in the second period, forcing Moodie into a mistake, leading to a yellow card and penalty try. The Bulls dominated despite being down to 14 men, touching down twice. Abrahams scored one try, but Lyon continued to dominate with Kriel, Smith, and De Klerk.
Bulls have Willie le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Marcell Coetzee, JF van Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, and Gerhard Steenekamp, while Lions have Thaakir Abrahams, Xavier Mignot, Alfred Parisien, Kyle Godwin, Monty Ioane, Paddy Jackson, Martin Page-Relo, Jordan Taufua, Beka Saginadze, Marvin Okuya, Loann Goujon, Theo William, Paulo Tafili, Guillaume Marchand, and Vivien Devisme.
