Weekend rugby roundup - Europe semi-finals and HSBC SVNS World Championship

The BizNews Rugby newsletter is sent out weekly by Rory Steyn, host of the BizNews Rugby podcast. Sign up for the weekly newsletter here to get the latest BizNews Rugby updates.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Rory SteynHSBC SVNS World Championship 2025It’s 03:48 on Monday morning as I type. The HSBC SVNS World Championship 2025, held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles on 3 and 4 May 2025, culminated in a jubilant victory for South Africa’s Blitzboks; who claimed the coveted title with a commanding 19-5 win over Spain in the Men’s Cup Final. Spain. What a phenomenal rise to the top of Rugby 7s for this non-traditionally-rugby-playing nation! Bravo España! This, the climax of the HSBC SVNS season showcased the Blitzboks' unrelenting work ethic, gritty determination, and humble spirit, as they outclassed a game Spanish side to etch their names into rugby sevens history.In a final that pulsed with intensity, the Blitzboks asserted their dominance from the opening whistle, blending flair, physicality, and tactical precision to overwhelm Spain, the surprise silver medallists, in the second 7. The 19-5 scoreline reflected South Africa’s clinical execution, as we capitalised on our opportunities while stifling Spain’s attacking ambitions with some typically physical and ferocious defence. The match, played at 02:41 SA time this morning (Monday 5 May), was a testament to the Blitzboks’ ability to emulate their 15s brothers and win a world title. The Los Angeles sun shone brightly on the 27 000-capacity venue, where the LA 2028 Olympic Games’ Rugby 7s will be played in three years’ time. Another Gold for Team SA perhaps?South Africa:Selvyn Davids: his filthy footwork slicing through Spain’s defence for the opening try set the tone for South Africa’s dominance.Mfundo Ndhlovu: a 50m try following a powerful hand-off showcased his composure under pressure.Riccardo Duartee: sealed the deal with a try out wide on the right with a teammate in the bin for the final two minutes.Spain:Pol Pla: the skipper and now 7s legend scored España’s sole try, as Spain fought bravely but couldn’t consistently breach South Africa’s defensive wall.A celebration of Sevens in Los AngelesDespite criticism of the change in format in certain quarters, the HSBC SVNS World Championship was a festival of rugby sevens, with an upbeat vibe fuelled by music, food, and a diverse crowd that only amplified the Blitzboks’ triumph. The tournament’s format, with two pools of four leading to high-stakes semi-finals, ensured every match was a spectacle. South Africa’s victory, their first SVNS World Championship title since 2018, was a fitting climax to a season of growth and redemption under former skipper turned coach, Philip Snyman.Standout 7s performers honouredThe Black Ferns’ Jorja Miller and Los Pumas 7s’ Luciano González were announced as Women’s and Men’s 7s Player Of The Year respectively in a ceremony that also saw the Black Ferns and the Blitz Boks raise their world cups together as the confetti cannons erupted. Bring on the LA28 Olympic 7s!.Investec Champions Cup semi-finalsThe weekend however, opened with some mouthwatering prospects in the semi-finals of the two European tournaments, the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup, and did not disappoint!Investec Champions Cup first semi-final: Leinster vs. Northampton SaintsSaturday 4 May: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland (capacity: 51,700)In a monumental upset (Superbru predictions were 96/4!), Northampton Saints stunned Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, ending the Irish province’s hopes of a fifth Champions Cup title. Again. In a match reminiscent of an Ireland RWC performance, the mighty Leinster stumbled when it mattered, adding a fourth straight year without a Champions Cup title. The match was a high-octane affair, with both teams trading blows in front of a 50 000-strong crowd. This is the Leinster who put 62 points on Harlequins and 52 on Glasgow without conceding any in their previous two ICC outings. Northampton’s victory was built on relentless physicality and clinical finishing, overturning Leinster’s home-ground advantage and their favourites status. Saints led 20-13 at halftime, capitalising on Leinster’s uncharacteristic errors in defence. The second half saw Leinster mount a ferocious comeback, but Northampton’s resilience, particularly in the final minutes, sealed their historic win. This result echoed their 2024 semi-final clash at Croke Park in Dublin, where Leinster had narrowly prevailed 20-17, but this time, the English side exacted revenge.Northampton Saints: Tommy Freeman’s hat-trick, earning Player of the Match honours, Henry Pollock and James Ramm scored Saints’ five tries against Jacques Nienaber’s much-vaunted defence.For Leinster Josh van der Flier’s brace, their wings Tommy O’Brien (impressive in a losing team) and James Lowe scored a try each together with skipper Caelan Doris.Henry Pollock was the game-changer, his tireless work rate dismantling Leinster’s defence. Tommy Freeman’s try-scoring instincts were crucial, while Fin Smith’s 12-point haul and sparkling flyhalf performance kept the scoreboard ticking. Caelan Doris led from the front with a try and relentless carries, while James Lowe’s double kept Leinster in contention. Garry Ringrose’s midfield guile created opportunities, but Leinster’s discipline faltered at key moments.Northampton’s early dominance set the tone, with Pollock’s first try coming from a well-executed lineout maul. Leinster’s second-half surge, sparked by Lowe’s intercept try, brought them within three points, but Smith’s late penalty and a crucial turnover by Pollock sealed the Saints’ victory. The Aviva’s atmosphere amplified the drama, with Northampton’s traveling fans roaring their team to glory. Much has already been written and said about Leinster and the Irish media’s arrogance pre-match, but I saw plenty of graciousness from Leinster fans online, acknowledging what a monumental effort it took for Saints to travel across the Irish Sea to beat them in Dublin. Saints fans had no right to expect this performance from their boys given their team’s average showing in the Gallagher Premiership thus far this season. But they showed up in Dublin, were seen and heard.It's fair to say that more than a few British and Irish Lions’ hopefuls’ tour aspirations took a knock, while others’ were very much enhanced. Fin Smith simply has to be on the plane and may just have eclipsed high-flyer Sam Prendergast, if Andy Farrell opts for both Finn Russell and Owen Farrell’s experience. Tommy Freeman put James Lowe in his place, properly; and it’s now difficult to see how Josh van der Flier is selected over Henry Pollock, of hoe?Leinster Head Coach, Leo Cullen may not survive the recriminations that will now surely follow, but this match was a triumph for the tournament, and for rugby generally – it’s what keeps fans interested and engaged. And so do the performances and character of young rising stars like Henry Pollock and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Rugby needs kids like that to inspire younger fans to develop and sustain an interest in this, the greatest of sports.Investec Champions Cup second semi-final: Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Stade ToulousainSunday 5 May: Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, France (capacity: 42,100)In an all-French affair that fully lived up to the pre-match hype, Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) delivered a dazzling performance to dismantle defending champions Stade Toulousain, securing their first-ever Champions Cup final berth. The Matmut Atlantique was a cauldron of noise, with 40 000 fans fuelling UBB’s aggressive, high-tempo game plan. Bordeaux’s dominance was evident from the outset, with their forwards gaining parity with Toulouse’s usually formidable pack. Their electric backs and relentless backrow support play got UBB to a 21-6 lead at halftime, exploiting Toulouse’s injury-hit lineup and lack of cohesion. Despite a brief Toulouse rally in the second half, Bordeaux’s attacking flair and defensive steel ensured a comprehensive victory, signalling their emergence as a European powerhouse, and giving them a shot at ICC glory. A match for the ages, one you couldn’t take your eyes off, and proof of the strength and quality of France’s club rugby system. Our SA franchises seriously need to get to that euphemistic drawing board quickly, spend some of the big money the Springbok brand is rumoured to have garnered, and figure out how we deal with this level of dominance. Let me not be the first to warn that our dominance on the international and world cup stages is not sustainable if we don’t get the level below that right. Fast, because we’re way off the pace.Union Bordeaux-Bègles: Peter Samu opened the try-scoring in the third minute with ‘La Beep-Beep’ (Louis Bielle-Biarrey)’s two tries and electric pace torching Toulouse’s defence taking the match slowly away from a game Toulouse. But Pierre Bochaton and Ben Tameifana each crashed over for 63rd and 77th minute tries respectively, and that was the end of Toulouse’s 2025 title defence.For Stade Toulousain: Dimitri Delibes countered UBB’s early try with a 14th minute one of his own, supported by one from Pierre-Louis Barassi with a rare moment of incision; Ange Capuozzo showcased his elusive running but the men in red and black are simply not the same outfit without their mercurial leader Antione du Pont, not to mention the also-injured Thomas Ramos, Peato Mauvaka and others.Toulouse ‘discard’ Mathieu Jalibert was the orchestrator, overshadowing Romain N’tamack at 10, with UBB’s early statement coming via Bielle-Biarrey’s 60-meter sprint for the opening try setting the tone. Toulouse’s discipline issues, including a yellow card to Emmanuel Meafou, allowed Jalibert to extend UBB’s lead. A brief Toulouse fightback, sparked by Barassi’s try, was snuffed out by Samu’s score and UBB’s suffocating defence. The Matmut Atlantique’s fervent crowd propelled Bordeaux to a historic triumph..EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finalsSaturday, May 3, 2025: Edinburgh vs. BathHive Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland (capacity: 7,800)Finn Russell led Bath Rugby up the M6 to the home of his Scotland Six Nations teammates in the shadow of Murrayfield, where they overpowered Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium, securing their place in the Challenge Cup final with a commanding display. The English side’s physicality and structured attack overwhelmed Edinburgh, who showed made a real fist of it in the first half, showing flashes of promise but struggled with turnovers and defensive lapses. Bath led 22-12 at halftime, capitalising on Edinburgh’s errors and their own dominance at the set piece. Despite a spirited second-half effort from the hosts, Bath’s depth and clinical finishing ensured a comfortable victory.Sunday, May 4, 2025: Lyon vs. Racing 92Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon, France (capacity: 35,000)Lyon secured a convincing victory over the struggling Racing 92 at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland, booking their spot in the 2025 Challenge Cup Final. The home side’s physical forward play and disciplined defence outmuscled Racing, who struggled to find rhythm in front of 30 000 vocal fans. Lyon led 19-8 at halftime, dominating the set piece and capitalising on Racing’s ill-discipline. The second half saw Lyon maintain control, with their bench adding fresh impetus to close out the game. Racing’s late consolation try couldn’t mask their underwhelming performance, as Lyon’s cohesion and home advantage proved decisive..Summary and outlookThe semifinals delivered gripping contests that underscored the intensity of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup at this stage of both tournaments. Northampton’s shock victory over Leinster at the Aviva Stadium highlighted the English side’s grit, with Henry Pollock emerging as a star. Union Bordeaux-Bègles’ demolition of Toulouse at the Matmut Atlantique marked a changing of the guard, with Matthieu Jalibert and Louis Bielle-Biarrey shining. In the Challenge Cup, Bath’s physicality overwhelmed Edinburgh at the Hive, while Lyon’s cohesive performance at Gerland, outclassed Racing 92.Finals Lineup (Principality Stadium, Cardiff):The above results set the stage for thrilling finals in Cardiff, with Northampton and UBB vying for European glory and Bath and Lyon chasing Challenge Cup honours.EPCR Challenge Cup – Friday May 23, 2025: Bath vs. LyonInvestec Champions Cup - Saturday May 24, 2025: Northampton Saints vs. Union Bordeaux-BèglesStandout Performers Across the Weekend:Henry Pollock (Northampton): His speed and relentless energy turned the tide against Leinster.Matthieu Jalibert (UBB): A masterclass in fly-half play, guiding Bordeaux to a historic win.Alfie Barbeary (Bath): A wrecking ball in attack, his tries crushed Edinburgh’s hopes.Thaakir Abrahams (Lyon): His speed and opportunism defined Lyon’s victory.This weekend’s results are very bad news for Leinster’s URC and Toulouse’s Top 14 opponents, as the two smarting giants now turn all their focus, energy, and formidable squads on their respective domestic leagues!

Weekend rugby roundup - Europe semi-finals and HSBC SVNS World Championship

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