Hits of the weekend: Brave Lions and fine wine Rudolph

Rugby365 highlights the top performances from South African teams during the opening rounds of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. Writer Wynona Louw commends the Lions for their brave 14-31 Champions Cup defeat against La Rochelle, which followed the tragic passing of lock Hyron Andrews. The article also praises the Bulls' replacement loose forward for a stunning solo try in their dominant 56-20 victory over Stade Francais at Loftus Versfeld.

Elsewhere, the Stormers secured an emphatic 49-12 win over Bristol Bears at DHL Stadium, relying on dominant scrummaging and strong attacking play from Seabelo Senatla. In the Challenge Cup, the Sharks edged Lyon 40-33 thanks to an 82nd-minute winning try from Litelithle Bester, while the Cheetahs fell just short against Bayonne following a late Herschel Jantjies score.