Bulls, Sharks victorious on Champions Cup debuts

The Pretoria outfit ran in tries through Sibongile Novuka, Bernard van der Linde (x2), Nizaam Carr, Stravino Jacobs and Chris Barend Smith, to register a victory on debut in the competition.

Lyon had trailed by 28 points at one stage but the South Africans held their nerve.

There was also an historic first in Durban where Sharks became the first South African franchise to take part in the new-format Champions Cup, edging English side Harlequins 39-31 in a pulsating match.

Harlequins outscored the Sharks, which included Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, five tries to four but still ended up on the losing side.

Josh Bassett put the Premiership side ahead in the seventh minute but Bongi Mbonambi struck back and two tries from Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi took Sharks into a 22-7 lead.

Will Evans reduced the lead with Quins' second try but Werner Kok fashioned a superb solo try which showed his electric pace and Curwin Bosch added a penalty to make it 32-14 for Sharks.

Andre Esterhuizen dotted down twice for Quins and Bassett added his second to reduce the deficit to a single point with two minutes remaining.

Sharks closed the deal, though, with Boeta Chamberlain completing a fine move down the right.

In Cape Town, the Stormers looked as though they were also going to open with a win as they went in at half-time with a 14-3 lead at Clermont. But the Top 14 side ran in two tries in the second half, scoring 21 points without return to consign Stormers to a 24-14 defeat.

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