Sharks lose Challenge Cup crown in Lyon

The Sharks’ EPCR Challenge Cup title defence ended at the first hurdle with a round-of-16 defeat to Lyon at Matmut Stadium.

Sharks coach John Plumtree rested his first-choice players for this encounter, with Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen and winger Yaw Penxe, who shifted to fullback, the only survivors from the starting XV that lost to Leinster’s second-stringers in Durban last weekend.

So it came as little surprise when the visitors went down 34-21 on Sunday.

The Sharks made a great start to the game, when hooker Fez Mbatha scored from a lineout driving maul.

What a unit 💪@SharksRugby bite back against Lyon O.U. 🦈

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— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 6, 2025

But the hosts hit back with three tries – fullback Alexandre Tchaptchet evading two tackles to score in the right corner, lock Theo William going over under the posts after a storming run, and hooker Yanis Charcosset reaching out to place the ball on the whitewash.

Lyon, captained by Springbok loose forward Arno Botha, struck again just before the break when centre Josiah Maraku dotted down after a slick set-piece move to make it 27-7.

The Sharks showed some fight after the break but continued to make costly handling errors and concede possession at the breakdown.

Lyon extended their lead in the 68th minute when replacement scrumhalf Charlie Cassang’s break down the blind side created a try for right wing Vincent Rattez.

The Sharks then produced their best passage of play, sparked by substitute centre Jurenzo Julius, which saw lock Corne Rahl barge over from close range, and flank Tino Mavesere’s last-minute try added some more respectability to the score.

Lyon will meet the Ospreys in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, while the Sharks get a week off before tackling Edinburgh and Ulster on a two-match URC tour.

Photo: @SharksRugby/X