Investec Champions Cup: South Africans who rocked in Round 1

Several South Africans shone in the opening round of the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup.

South Africans who rocked in Round 1

Bulls winger** Cheswill Jooste was the individual standout.** He scored a hat-trick for the Bulls in their 56–20 win over Stade Français, opening the scoring inside the first minute. The striking return was his six line breaks and six defenders beaten. He also made 218 metres, almost double any other player in the tournament .

Bulls No 10 Handré Pollard added 16 points, converting all eight Bulls tries in a goalkicking master class.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ran the Stormers’ show against the Bristol Bears in Cape Town.

In the 49–12 win over Bristol, he converted all seven Stormers tries for 14 points. He also made 13 carries, two line breaks and beat six defenders.

Statistics alone don’t do justice to his influence on the match, just like they tell of a dominance from Jooste against Stade Francais but don’t encapsulate the type of damage done within those statistics.

In Cape Town, Stormers fullback Damian Willemse led the Stormers’ carry count with 14, while inside centre Jonathan Roche and left wing Leolin Zas each made two line breaks. Roche scored twice; Zas also crossed twice. Right wing Seabelo Senatla was sensational on the right wing, scoring a stunning try, creating tries and consistently a menace to the Bears defence.

Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom backed up his try with a busy all-round game for the Bulls. He led their carries with nine, made 14 tackles and won three turnovers. He was also substituted before the hour mark.

The Lions’ best statistical returns came in a losing effort against La Rochelle. Former SA under 20 flanker Bathobele Hlekani made 10 carries, while Ruan Delport topped the match tackle count with 17 and Sibabalwe Mahashe made 13. The Lions lost 31–14, but the match was in the balance at 19-14 with twenty mintues to go.

It was a brave Lions debut in the tournament and one that commanded respect given they played 48 hours after learning their teammate Hyron Andrews had died in his hotel room.

Statistics never tell the full story of a match and statistics don’t speak to so much that can be done off the ball by a player to influence a positive outcome.

Statistically, though, these were the names that were guaranteed headlines after Round 1.

The Bulls beat Stade Francais 56-20 in Pretoria and the Stormers won 49-12 against Bristol in Cape Town. The Lions were beaten 31-14 at La Rochelle.

In the EPCR Challenge Cup, Springboks Hershel Jantjies and Rob du Preez combined on Sunday to crush the Cheetahs spirits with a late rally for French club Bayonne. The hosts won 29-27 thanks to Janjties’s try and Du Preez’s conversion.

The Sharks on Saturday scored after the hooter to stun Lyon in Lyon 40-33.