The Vodacom Bulls saved their best performance for last in the 2024/25 edition of the Investec Championship Cup as they scored an impressive seven tries to one for a comprehensive 48-7 victory over Stade Français Paris at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

While the emphatic victory was not good enough to earn the men from the capital a place in the top four of their Investec Champions Cup pool, it was sufficient to see them through to the Round of 16 in the Challenge Cup, meaning they are still in the race to clinch silverware this season.

The EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 fixtures will take place between the 4th and 6th of April, with kick-off times and match venues to be confirmed by the tournament office during the course of the week.

The Vodacom Bulls scored five first-half tries, while they conceded only one, for an impressive 36-7 halftime lead.

The hosts were awarded a penalty try in the second minute with the Frenchman being reduced to 14 men in the process due to foul play, and they added their second five-pointer in the 12th minute compliments of fine finishing by Devon Williams with an extra man on the field.

Their remaining tries were scored in the 18th minute by Embrose Papier, the 27th minute by Ruan Vermaak, and the 39th minute by Elrigh Louw, while they leaked one in the 23rd minute.

The Vodacom Bulls continued to stamp their authority in the second stanza and added two more tries – by Boeta Chamberlain and Cameron Hanekom – by the 50th minute, and denied the visitors a single additional point in what was a much tighter second half to seal the victory.

The win might be their only one in the Investec Champions Cup this season, but they will undoubtedly draw immense confidence from the 41-point victory as they prepare to return to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship next weekend.

SCORERS:

Vodacom Bulls – 48

Tries: Penalty try, Devon Williams, Embrose Papier, Ruan Vermaak, Elrigh Louw, Boeta Chamberlain, Cameron Hanekom.

Conversions: Johan Goosen x2, Chamberlain x2

Penalty goal: Chamberlain x1

Stade Francais Paris – 7

Try: Sekou Macalou

Conversion: Louis Carbonel x1

 >>>Story courtesy of www.sarugby.co.za/news