Instant Highlights - Union Bordeaux Bègles v Hollywoodbets Sharks Round 4 | Investec Champions Cup 2

[@VictorDodon]

French players are looking strong before 6N. I really hope for a Grand Slam for France this year. Cheers from a Romanian fan!

[@SMacCuUladh]

France have to play Ireland in Dublin, it's tough place to go to.

[@VictorDodon]

@@SMacCuUladh Yes, I know, that's why I said "I hope" and not "I think".

[@jungbolosse3034]

​@@SMacCuUladh3 games away so it will be very tough

[@kropotkine9640]

@@SMacCuUladh It won't be on the 1st round

[@jorgetadeunago]

❤ from Toulouse our mamaliga eating cousins 🇷🇴

[@iknw-x7b8h]

The Sharks had a +28 score difference, then went up another 2 tries here and only needed a bonus point to qualify ahead of Ulster, yet they managed to somehow mess that up . What a collapse to end up being knocked out from that position.

[@LuisNunes-ps4sl]

That was 6 tries and 2 assists for Penaud 🔥🔥🔥🔥 What a performance 🏉🏉🏉🏉 Eight try contributions in a single match is nuts!

[@daCATgraphics]

Clearly Penauld was motivated to score a stupid amount of tries after Tim at Egg chasers dropped him from No1 winger on his world beaters list lol

[@Alornell]

Exactly what I was thinking about haha

[@tanyatavares9796]

Could we please get extended highlights? It would be great to see the tries more than once and see the full action.

[@kizz4jw7dv3g]

What a disaster show from the South African clubs .. Not one could make the last 16

[@jacoespach5079]

And what a disaster for the Northern Hemisphere teams since 2003 no world cups 😂

[@GoldenGoalposts]

@@jacoespach5079ikr 6 World Cup winners and they still lost by 40+ points 😂

[@powerbite92]

@GoldenGoalposts Five genuine world cup winners who won the world cup for south africa .. and then siya kolisi jogging in the outfield.

[@rianpp3696]

We have our best players playing for almost every pro team in the top leagues, no surprises unfortunately

[@alexp2327]

​@@wlk2408 im pretty sure french players play more games than SA ones, french top 14 is huge

[@DaBoiTee1]

My word 😍 Bordeaux going forward is simply spectacular (even without BB)

[@davidantoine8296]

Congratulations Bordeaux excellent win - let’s see what excuses the Sharks fans have this week I’ve thought of a few myself: - The sun was out - The grass was too long - Siya Kolisi had a cold - If Penaud scored 6, Mapimpi would’ve scored 7 if he was playing

[@theriddler5601]

You are more of a stereotype than any South African fan could ever comprehend being. There’s always someone trying to talk down our fans no matter what.

[@davidantoine8296]

@ the ratio speaks volumes - perhaps if Sharks fans were more gracious in defeat more ppl would respect them

[@theriddler5601]

@davidantoine8296Do you see any Sharks fans around here doing what you have described? If so then please get me one comment proving your point.

[@davidantoine8296]

@@theriddler5601go to last week’s game and I’ll find u at least 10 👍

[@barondesiles3132]

😂😂😂

[@BarneyChilman]

Penaud is to good

[@RhysWilliams-u3o]

A chest code in a fantasy league

[@Stephen-jx1hz]

It’s written *too good. Your welcome 🙏

[@emiletouzard9332]

@@Stephen-jx1hzyou're* welcome

[@Stephen-jx1hz]

@@RhysWilliams-u3o Is that a Freudian alip?

[@Florida6719]

Until he plays against Kolbe 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Docker-vf4fl]

Penaud is on fire lalalalalala🎉

[@sirfrancis6058]

Hard to argue against Penaud being the besr winger in the world, guy os magnetic

[@rianpp3696]

Kolbe might have something to say here :) Pernaud was invisible in Frances defeat. KLA probably better, and the Italian Greyhound Capuzzo

[@SMacCuUladh]

Will Jordan, Cheslin Colbe and Mark Telea would disagree.

[@sirfrancis6058]

@@SMacCuUladh all good players, I'd pick Penaud over them nonetheless

[@sirfrancis6058]

@@rianpp3696 Kolbe plays 10 international games a year and then does nothing for the rest of the year in Japan. Penaud Plays week in week out in the best league in the world

[@sachinbangaru737]

Penaud is the best. #SharksForever

[@TheLRider]

What a superb show.. end of.. artists Vs hit men..

[@fabiancarolissen8268]

Siya is playing touchies. 😂

[@cpdennis11]

One of Toulouse or Leinster should win the Champions Cup. Bordeaux may be in the running as well.

[@lizilemanona]

Penuad was just s%itting on them 😂😂😂

[@PositiveComments1]

It’s difficult to see how a final would not be between Toulouse and Bordeaux this year - congrats UBB

[@Paul-v2e2o]

I could be wrong, but their is a high chance they will meet before the final if both succeed given seedings and that Bordeaux topped the group and Toulouse were second

[@ShaneErasmus-en8nz]

What about leinster,,,la rochelle

[@PositiveComments1]

@@ShaneErasmus-en8nz La Rochelle lost to Benetton and had a close game against Bath, they are a good team - I believe UBB and Toulouse are head and shoulders above them this season tho Again Leinster are a good team but have taken a while to get going in their Champions Cup fixture whereas Toulouse and UBB have been good in all their games almost from start to finish

[@jungbolosse3034]

What if they meet before final?

[@pik-8694]

I think they can't meet in Finals. Admissible predictions give a Bordeaux-Toulouse in semi. Very bad luck for Toulouse to be in same pool as Bordeaux. The difference was the Sharks-Toulouse in SA, which is much more complicated than receiving them home (see the video above :D). Fun fact: Toulouse has more points than any other team than Bordeaux. But they finished 2nd of the pool, hence are n°5 in rankings for the knock-out phase.

[@jonathanyes112]

Shoutout to the ref, great game for him it seems

[@tui88-up1ki]

Cry me a river 😂

[@jonathanyes112]

@ what? How am I crying? I’m giving the man a compliment

[@Paul-v2e2o]

Bordeaux tore the Sharks apart. Litterly cut through them.. 2 teams in different classes.

[@houndofzoltan]

Glad that Ulster go through, but makes the whole group round seem pointless when you get hammered in 3 of your 4 games and still go through.

[@NoelJGriffin]

Think Ulster would benefit more from being in the Challenge cup this year. Can't see a trip down to Bordeaux being a pleasant experience for them

[@brendanmolloy572]

To be semi optimistic they were leading at half time in their pool match against UBB

[@88Eoghan]

Joke of a format. There were occasions in the old days where teams who won 4/6 games didn't get through. You felt the teams who qualified really earned it. Now it's just a waste of time even having these "groups".

[@bigscaryman7421]

Alternative title, Damian Penaud does Damian Penaud things

[@cyriljohnson7719]

Sharks fan. Agree S.A. sides should not be in Champions cup. Embarrassing.

[@mauricegarvey4631]

SA teams are good in the URC, but its just not working for the CC. Too much rugby and too much travel over the year for SA teams. Unsustainable

[@ovalballs-b5o]

A step up in quality proving too much for these South African clubs . Not one team could make the last 16. We keep hearing that next year will be the year. If anything, they have gone backwards.

[@Paul-v2e2o]

​@@mauricegarvey4631The travel excuses every time a defeat pops up. The truth is they were not even near good enough to progress in this comp. If anything they have gone backwards after being told they are just settling in at first.

[@mauricegarvey4631]

@@Paul-v2e2o They are good, especially at home. I think SA rugby sponsor makes them travel to Europe via Dubai. That has to take a toll over the course of the season.

[@Paul-v2e2o]

@mauricegarvey4631 But not really good enough to make the last 16. That's the reality. Flying to Dubai. Well, they have to fix that or overcome that. It's too much of a little detail to excuse defeats, too..If every club we're to go into tiny details like flight patterns, then the excuses would flow from everywhere. Any club playing the Bulls or Lions could say they always have an unfair advantage because of altitude etc etc, or it might be stinking hot in Durban or Cape Town but at the end of the day, it is what it is , no excuses..

[@Splotched]

Remember when Bok fans said their clubs would come to Europe and dominate 😂

[@hughguys1183]

yeah they didnt expect to go there and face NZ, Aus, Arg and the rest of the world too. Only makes the SA with all/99.9% SA players better

[@ovalballs-b5o]

Don't we remember well 😂. A lot of their fans had gotten ahead of themselves and underestimated European club rugby. All the nonsense how they were coming from Super Rugby had Super Rugby experience.. European Champions Cup is way more difficult if anything . Then we heard (we are only settling in, and next year, we will kick on). Again, false, and if anything, it's only got harder for South African clubs . At least before they managed to have teams make the knockout stages, unlike this year where not one of their clubs made the last 16. Looks like this comp is a step too far .

[@Paul-v2e2o]

​@hughguys1183 What do you mean they didn't expect? Are you telling me they had no idea who they were playing before joining up? You can't be serious. Alot of noise talked before they played a ball in this comp and how ye were coming from Super Rugby. Champions Cup is real tough and they are finding out the hard way. Even the URC has been difficult .

[@Aerosonic10001]

Salty Saffas where are you? I’m waiting for your comments about the ref and “4 WORLD CUPS!!!”

[@chrisbossman1978]

The difference in class between the South african sides and the french sides are huge. Better for the South african sides to just focus on tier 2 comps like the URC, I dont see them ever competing in the champions cup

[@rianpp3696]

Unless we get all our best players playing in SA again

[@rianpp3696]

@@chrisbossman1978 it comes down to money. Sharks have half the salary cap of French teams. Irish teams have no salary cap

[@jeanlucwillequet8292]

@@rianpp3696 Paid in Rands, lol...

[@easydifld]

Not really. Irish clubs like Connacht Ulster Munster have around the same annual funds as the Sharks, for example . In between 5 to 7m Euro, when you break down currency . Leinster is around 10 but alot of that is down to central contracts given by the IRFU, which Leinster benefits more from because they have produced more players given central contracts essentially produced more talent for the Irish set up so have extra cash in reward . Don't think because they don't have an exact salary cap that there is no cap. The funds are not unlimited . I think Munster and Ulster have been struggling financially, in fact

[@rianpp3696]

@easydifld I believe SA teams have 100m Rand which is about 4.5m pounds

[@YallCrazies801]

So when do the Sharks get a proper coach?

[@olivierb.2149]

Saffas really talk a big game compared to what they bring to the table

[@yannickbakaly7638]

now my SA brother know who is Damien Penaud... Do you guys still want to compare him to Harendse????? he score 2 hitrick in the same game

[@LuisNunes-ps4sl]

And 2 assists. 😁😁👍

[@AnrichEyssen]

Want to see if he'll be able to do this when they play against the Boks

[@janniedewetbarnard3636]

What a good hidding

[@izakcelliers7307]

Rock nation!!!!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@KlausVonSchmeck]

Wild that Penaud is the second best winger at Bordeaux

[@toma411]

2:05 Kolisi just stands there and lets Penaud run round him lol, what a plonker.

[@zschokks5583]

This Player is clearly overrated, just good to sing

[@jj56x7.5mm]

Kolisi is a useless @@@

[@rianpp3696]

You mean the player with 2 World Cups, and a Lions Series win, all as Captain 😂

[@zschokks5583]

@@rianpp3696 was he even once player of the game?

[@jj56x7.5mm]

@rianpp3696 That us him wad covered by other players all the time now he us exposed properly useless

[@jacquesdeysel153]

Sharks is warm ne!😂😂😂

[@Ali-gk3xy]

The rage bait in this comment section is crazy

[@thabomazwayi4422]

Sharks number 14 is not good enough "horrible ". 😢😢😢

[@seano4214]

What the hell was that Sharks? We played the first 10mins and then fell asleep. Well played Bordeaux.

[@Arnold-k1i]

The Sharks have been a total letdown . Embarrassing stuff. Bordeaux is a serious contender to win this outright. Even looking better than Toulouse and Leinster, etc

[@billbobby461]

Idk Toulouse looked pretty good against Leicester 😅

[@Arnold-k1i]

@billbobby461 Red hot as always, no doubt

[@PB22559]

How sides look right now isn't too important. The final won't be for another few months. That's when the top sides need to peak.

[@Arnold-k1i]

Yes, teams need to peak at the right time to win this. That is self-explanatory in itself. It doesn't stop Bordeaux , though, from being in the contender list now.

[@PB22559]

@ Bordeaux were playing a Sharks side that looked like they didn't even want to be there. Leinster were playing La Rochelle in France and still managed to win. How many French sides have managed to beat La Rochelle in their own back yard this season?

[@neilcarpenter2669]

As a neutral i have to ask did the Sharks deliberately throw the game it almost seemed ss if they wanted to drop down into the challenge cup because that didn't look like a team that wanted to keep the score down.

[@mauricegarvey4631]

Bit of excitement by the commentator would have been nice for Penaud's 5th and 6th tries. Would it kill him to add a bit of energy, not many score 5 or 6 in a single game.

[@AdamGordon1]

Penaud heading for GOAT territory.

[@yannickbakaly7638]

You guys complain about foreign players in top14 but let be honest today the problem wasnt foreign players but damian Penaud who score s 6 try🎉

[@DRIVER-SEBVET]

What a beating the toothless sharks got, hahaha 😂😂😂 That was great rugby by Bordeaux turning the shark players inside out and score 10 tries, my god 😂😂😂

[@pik-8694]

Genuine and candid question (please be civil): Why are so many SA supporters so salty? They win: they're salty. They loose: they're salty. They're thrashed: they're salty. I mean, why? That's sport. It always comes and goes. No, all the best players are not SA. No, Antoine Dupont is not overrated (at least not as much as they claim he is). No, SA clubs do not match European top clubs level nowadays (it might change). No, they don't play more game than French clubs. Yes, ambience is better in European stadiums. No, French teams are not filled with foreigners. But yes, SA is world champion without cheating (all knew how O'keefe is refereeing and doping is not proven). Yes, SA is a marvellous team (xhixh does not deserve such "fans"). Why the heck those supporters are so obnoxious? Look the commentaries under Toulouse-Ulster highlights: Irish fans were hilarious. SA are just a pain in the ass. WHY? Is it because rugby is the only sport (i can think of) they are good at? And by being opened in two in this sport, that is their virility which is attacked? Please if someone can explain... Especially a real SA supporter, I'm sure there are such person... Thanks!

[@reggielionel]

My friend let us be salty it's our salt. Concentrate on your own salt

[@pik-8694]

@reggielionel 😁 that's not the explanation I was hoping for, but I love it nonetheless ❤️

[@reggielionel]

@@pik-8694 well that's what you get when fiddle with other people's salt or saltiness

[@nicolasaujogue4095]

(disclaimer : not an SA fan here) I think you can rule out the explaination "rugby is the only sport they are good at". I've heard that cricket is a big thing over there, and they're very good at it! I'm sure there are other examples

[@pik-8694]

@@nicolasaujogue4095 cricket is more an insect than a sport, but ok. I didn't know they played.

[@PatrickDuffy-i9u]

Looks like no one will stop the French in 2025, sublime rugby

[@LloydOConnor-d1l]

SARU’s big 4 who have the big grants and can’t be relegated have it to easy

[@aidan-ator7844]

It's literally like some of the players become completely blank when playing overseas and the pressure is up. Absolutely no visible backbone.

[@jean-pierreheyns4579]

No Ben o'Keefe for assistance

[@aidan-ator7844]

@jean-pierreheyns4579 I am talking about real rugby you donut

[@Ahhhere.54]

The gap between the french and SA teams is Huge. Worrying times ahead for the boks not much talent coming through it seems. I know they will their playing in Japan and yes many do but it’s not a 66-12 equivalent 😂😂

[@EthanPhillips-l2o]

Just a question... since you are saying lots of players coming through for the french lol, how many players in the match day squad are born in France?

[@Ahhhere.54]

But it doesn’t matter they play for France 🇫🇷. Point is tide is turning France is where it’s at nowawadays

[@pik-8694]

@@EthanPhillips-l2o 16/23

[@dn822]

​@@Ahhhere.54talk is cheap

[@christianjambou8208]

It must be the fact that there are too many fans the stands....says shark's fans.

[@ryanwenn4452]

If the south africa clubs picked their starting line ups beter they would've made the last 16

[@calmingcoffeerain6217]

Useless by sharks

[@Stephen-jx1hz]

We can blame SA all we want, but the rest of the comp is pretty dreadful too.

[@diaanvanderberg3051]

Sharks have no attack. They have all these springboks players in the team but they are always injured and is only a loud to play so many games. So every week its a different B team playing

[@rianpp3696]

Can someone explain how the French clubs are ao good but there international team has won the 6 nations JUST once in last 14 years, there national team is only ranked 4th and they often struggle in the World Cup ?????

[@alexp2327]

They dont struggle in the world cup, they have been robbed in the last one (also’unlucky with the Dupont injury), got robbed too in the 2011 World cup final with the infamous Craig Joubert performance. Also the big issue in french rugby is club rugby being more important than the French NT team, the french top 14 start in august and end in june, too many matches for the big stars, french NT is not the priority

[@rianpp3696]

@alexp2327 they lost a QF on home turf and also QF in 2019. Maybe you think that is good ?

[@markwillies7666]

​@@alexp2327fcuk orf with this robbing bullshti.The only robbing done with RWC 23 waS France robbing us from holding it. We feel rocks for the Frog's losers

[@bbmcars]

Robbed in the last World Cup? FK off. They simply weren’t good enough against the boks and let’s not forget they deserved to lose the game a year before that too.

[@pik-8694]

@@alexp2327 France has not been robbed in 2023. SA and everybody knew how O'Keefe refeers. SA took advantage of it. 2011, yes, it was blatant. As much as 95 finals. But France was lucky in 2007 and the infamous forward pass (which I personnally believe was a mistake from the ref, contrary to 2011 and 95).

[@alexp2327]

SA teams bring nothing to this competition, kick them out

[@Ruka-f7k]

They were only included to the competition because they are struggling financially. I don’t know why we should help them since they are so dominant (as they say)

[@dn822]

This is a stupid comment. Of the 4 teams 3 made it the "A league" They did not even finish last in there pools. No they did not do well but to say that all the teams that ended behind them will make this comp better. What am I missing?

[@isaacmolefenyokong7776]

Look! A toothless shark!! 🥸

[@DP-cd5wr]

The boks would get pumped by these french clubs

[@cryptotimes1583]

This is embarrassing pull out these South African teams if they can't compete.

[@fahmad5948]

How many were the Sharks missing this time😂😂

[@jj56x7.5mm]

Dont know who are the sharks defence coach he need to be fired now send back to sa also plumtree must surely now been told to go

[@laurentfaurite9199]

Les Sharks se sont fait dévorer.

[@lesiba5382]

Absolutely disappointed

[@johnhanson5943]

A Sharks Fan. It was a red card early on.

[@JockTalk7]

6 tried penaud? Hooooly shit

[@rugbywhisperer-coachkane3038]

66 12... Sharks take a proper hiding

[@omonyrobert9962]

SA teams should return to super rugby. They can't compete in the champions Cup without the springboks playing in SA.

[@kareokecabin4726]

The South African teams must get out of the Champions Cup! They utterly suck! We can't compete against ANY french or English side away from home. So the solution is, let's focus on the URC only, and find a way to build and work our way back in into the Champs cup ONLY IF we are good enough.

[@JesseVolkwyn]

Poor gameplan and defences from a very poor sharks team

[@brunoklynsmith9169]

Sharks players should loose their matchday fees, if they get that. Pathetic display.

[@bbmcars]

This is hilarious. Fantastic from the French clubs…only to get smashed on the international stage by the boys strolling in Japan 😂

[@billbobby461]

@@bbmcars what boys? Ben o'keefe??

[@bbmcars]

@ time and time again 🤣

[@tui88-up1ki]

Saffas only care about 4 world cups i think 😂

[@dgoodall]

The South African clubs and players don’t seem to care, and the fans don’t turn up for their home games either. It’s supposed to be their off season, so having them in this competition is pointless.

[@andrewharris1837]

French razzle dazzle supported by Pacific island beef a magic combo😅

[@Blimzio]

South African rugby is a joke at the moment and club rugby Kolisi showing his true colours again 🤣🤣🤣

[@lesiba5382]

For anyone to painfully claim that we rely on drugs when we perform well is not just disheartening-it’s insulting. It reflects a mindset that refuses to believe we can compete at their level without unfair advantages. Instead of acknowledging the sheer effort, grit, and natural ability we bring to the table despite our challenges, they default to baseless accusations. What it really shows is that they themselves don’t expect us to be on par with them unless there’s something ‘unnatural’ going on. That’s the sad reality of how talent from under-resourced backgrounds is perceived.

[@pik-8694]

That is a heavy past to carry. The 95 winners have too many strange deaths/disabilities in their 40s and 50s to not be concerning and it has been proven than doping is a rampant problem in youth SA leagues. But that does not mean that today's teams are loaded (until proven otherwise). And that does not mean other teams are not loaded. Anyway, I hope they were not loaded! 66-12 + a needle... that would have been a very painful afternoon!

[@jacoespach5079]

DON'T FORGET SOUTH AFRICAN TEAMS ARE SOUTH AFRICAN PLAYERS NORTHERN TEAMS BUY THE BEST FROM ANY COUNTRY NORTHERN TEAMS WIN BECAUSE THEY HAVE NZ FIJI SAMOA RSA .....😅😅

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

Sardines 😂😂 pathetic saffie crap😂😂😂😂

[@jacquesboshoff5357]

How in the world are we the number one national side in the world? It is a terrible shame watching this! Rassie, soos dit vir my lyk het jy groot werk wat voorlê, my goeie vriend....

[@jacquesboshoff5357]

Plum, this just is not good enough!! It is an absolute shame!!!😮

[@bbmcars]

Because our best players don’t play in SA 😂

[@flinfaraday1821]

"huge venom in the tackle" haha european poofter rules

[@FrancoisVenter-x7c]

What excuses will the sharks have this week? All they needed was a bonus point. Always disappoint SA rugby Got all the springboks as well? See more excuses coming!!!

[@mauroger86]

How the hell was that first yellow card from Bordeaux not red? Thats upright and shoulder to head. I guess the ref made up an excuse for that one.

[@valsables5299]

Johnson clothing should stop sponsoring the Sharks. Dont saddle up losing horses. uU getting a kak name also. Why be associated with losers. Pay that money to ur staff.

[@07855964]

They useless team ,not one south African team has beaten any french side but yet again i guess the french have enough funds to buy players from overseas so I guess that's the reason they so strong,I stand corrected.

[@christoburger]

Sharks played like they got paid to loose...

[@kropotkine9640]

More like they couldn't bribe the ref

[@Ruka-f7k]

I don’t why we allow South African clubs in our European competitions. All they do is begging for funding and being rude online. They are really proud of their World Cups so maybe they can have their own competitions.

[@pgdsfcv5552]

Siya Kolisi is the most overrated rugby player of all time

[@rianpp3696]

The Greatest international captain in rugby history... Has won more the whole of 6 nations combined 🥱

[@fabiancarolissen8268]

Standing around looking, hopping and try to look busy.🤣

[@andrewmakin8151]

absolute statements like this are always absolutely thoughtless and always the product of emotion. all good.

[@DP-cd5wr]

​@rianpp3696 that is not even remotely true lol, Richie mccaw, has that honor

[@Inst19ct]

You are a delusional fan

[@TrevorAlex-u7u]

Sharks my arse more like guppies.

[@aidan-ator7844]

Do our south african teams have no identity? What the hell is wrong with them. There is no excuse for such a massive gap in quality

[@DP-cd5wr]

There is absolutely zero chance of a south african team ever winning the champions cup lol

[@NDRAAA20]

South African club rugby need to leave Europe 😂.

[@sachinbangaru737]

Plumtree out

[@jasonbyrne4593]

Well done to the French. Hopelly they can win a world cup one century.

[@billbobby461]

if you knew anything about french rugby you'd know they put more emphasis on the Top14 than anything else, even the Champions Cup doesn't mean as much to them as a Top14 title. Don't believe it?? Then check out the squad for New Zealand in the summer.

[@jasonbyrne4593]

​@@billbobby461 Thanks mate

[@pik-8694]

@@billbobby461 I would say it's partially correct. Top 14 might be more highly regarded as Champions Cup, but any French international would give a Top 14 title for a World Cup.

[@Francois-f6e]

@@billbobby461 Disagree, we ALL want a world cup, players and fans, because top 14 isn't only about French players, and we want French players to win! We are like any other nation in this regard, aren't we?

[@easydifld]

Challenge Cup it is for the South African clubs . The whole army of them are there bar the Cheetahs who got knocked out. A domestic comp within a secondary comp 😂

[@phelansa23]

😂😂, the Sharks are pathetic!

[@jorgetadeunago]

It is becoming ridiculous- Every game rises the same obvious question: what is the point of having South Africans teams competing in the European championship?

[@markdanielleanderson4323]

I'm South African and I agree. Our teams are pathetic. Income from viewership is the only reason I can think of for our inclusion. Though hopefully viewership takes a nose dive given how utterly pathetic we are and we are sent to second and third division competitions where we belong. Where the arrogant fans among us can feel big about maybe winning the URC and Challenge cup. Hard times ahead for us. Rassie is the best coach in the world but I fear he can only accomplish so much without even slightly mediocre players.

[@Adam-tn1th]

I mean you could ask the same for some of the English sides, especially after seeing Leicester lose by 80+ worse than any South African side. I'm more interested in seeing less teams in the Champions Cup. It's ridiculous that so many qualify from the English Premiership and URC, it's ridiculous that you can win one game and still make it to the Round of 16. Perhaps if there were fewer teams and say only South Africa's top team competing, it would be better for EVERYONE. But bottom line, sadly South Africa does not have the depth to compete in Europe, only URC.

[@markdanielleanderson4323]

@@Adam-tn1th I agree. There is too much rugby. One weekend its this competition then the next its the other competition. Its laughably structured and too many teams qualify. The French deserve credit. They are peak professionals as far as club rugby is concerned. But this competition isn't made for us. Granted we are still new to the party but no amount of excuses can excuse. The level of incompetence our teams show in the Champions cup.

[@jorgetadeunago]

@ The point is that, as little entertaining as it may be, flying entire teams and staff halfway across the world for a “European Championship” is absurd. It drains smaller clubs, weakens them, and costs a fortune-all while England, at least, is still in Europe. This supposedly boosts World Rugby with “added viewers and sponsors.” From the same South African teams who once complained about “long, expensive travel to face inferior teams.” The irony doesn’t just write itself-it screams. The real reason? The same tired propaganda machine that puts Israel in Eurovision or hires actors in Zulu costumes to prop up Cyril’s World Cup PR. Hold the land, sell the rainbow, and keep the narrative going while the referees punch the clock.

[@Canvashed]

South Africans sides are poor.

[@mikebiagio4155]

Just fire plumtreea already. He is not a coaches asshole. And sharks 10 defence is ABYSMAL.

[@chandamusambachime5497]

Absolute disaster from the Sharks

[@EatDeze]

South Africa teams just go back to currie cup cleary way out of your depth in europe and super rugby

[@lu881]

This is an embarrassment and a shame. We need to globalise the season. Fix the schedules so that players can be peak and beaten fair and square

[@stevenwortrich6014]

Sharks, from rubbish to diabolical....!

[@eugenedreyer4805]

Embarrassing mismatch.

[@ethancroft5512]

This match exposed how terribly overrated some SA players are. Kolisi spends most the time watching others doing the work and has no physical presence. Mbonambi has a very low work-rate and is slow and lumbering.

[@ivandeetlefs]

disgraceful by the sharks.