Champions Cup Rugby

Watch: Top 10 SA Tries Of The 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup

The 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup proved to be short and bittersweet for the three South African sides, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld as he selects the 10 best local tries of the tournament.

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For the first time since their entry into Europe’s top-flight competition, not a single South African team qualified for the Round of 16, with the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers all managing just a single win in their four pool fixtures.

Finish fifth in their respective pools, the Bulls and Sharks will now compete in the Challenge Cup playoffs, whereas the Stormers will see no further European action this season after finishing last in Pool 4.

Despite finding the going tough, the South African teams scored some memorable tries, none more so than the following five-pointers:

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Willie le Roux facilitated the Bulls’ campaign-opening try against Saracens, the veteran playmaker shipping a beautiful 20-metre pass in gusty conditions to Sebastian de Klerk, who accelerated over.

Pretoria Power

Marcell Coetzee came up big for the Bulls in the first half of their home clash against the Northampton Saints, the classy back-rower breaking a tackle and handing off another would-be defender to score.

10: Hanekom On The Double

Man of the Match Cameron Hanekom did everything he could, including scoring two stellar solo tries, but couldn’t help the Bulls avoid defeat to Northampton at home. This was the second of his five-pointers.

9: On The Manie

Having forced a turnover moments earlier, Manie Libbok called on his scrumhalf to lob the ball over the Sale Sharks’ line of defence and Stefan Ungerer did so expertly. Libbok plucked the ball out of the air, stepped Joe Carpenter and cruised in for the try.

8: Bok Brilliance

The Sharks’ Springbok trio of Aphelele Fassi, Grant Williams and Makazole Mapimpi combined to cut through the Exeter Chiefs in their campaign opener.

7: Making It Look Easy

The Bulls breezed past Stade Francais in this set-piece strike with silky handling and a great grubber by Sergeal Petersen seeing Devon Williams dot down.

6: Clockwork Orange

A somewhat forgotten prospect, Wandisile Simelane reminded everyone how dangerous he can be when he put JD Schickerling away for the Stormers’ opening try against Sale with some excellent footwork and an equally good offload.

5: All The Way From Mars

The Stormers endured a rough night at Twickenham Stoop but ended it on a positive note as they strung several passes together and finally breached Harlequins’ try line through debutant JC Mars.

4: The Boogieman Cometh

Next-generation Sharks star Jurenzo Julius put himself on the map when he struck for the hosts against defending champions Toulouse in Durban.

3: Tickled Pink

The power of Phepsi Buthelezi and superb support play and skill of Ethan Hooker provided a clear path for Grant Williams to score against the Chiefs.

2: Gelant Goes Big In Gqeberha

Warrick Gelant turned a half break and offload by Suleiman Hartzenberg into a stunning score against Toulon in Gqeberha, the Stormers fullback producing a brilliant finish.

1: Turning Pressure Into Points

The Sharks caught Exeter off guard when they attacked from their 22. Makazole Mapimpi made the break, Ox Nche was heavily involved, Ethan Hooker showed great hands and Phepsi Buthelezi powered his way over.

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