The Stormers, unbeaten leaders of the URC, secured a 26-17 win over Aviron Bayonnais at Jean-Dauger on Friday evening, kicking off the Champions Cup in pool 3. Missing several Springboks, the South Africans showed clinical precision and robustness against a determined Basque side hampered by absences. Despite a brief lead by the hosts, Bayonne's indiscipline sealed their loss.
Aviron Bayonnais hosted Cape Town's Stormers at Jean-Dauger for the Champions Cup kickoff. The South Africans, favorites as unbeaten URC leaders, managed without key Springboks including Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, and Damian Willemse. Bayonne, weakened by numerous absences, aimed to disrupt play, as manager Grégory Patat had mentioned wanting to «mettre l'anarchie».
The visitors struck first: from a Bayonne turnover, they countered 80 meters for Imad Khan's try in the 2nd minute. Clinton Swart kicked three penalties, while Bayonne hit back with Federico Mori's try in the 16th, set up by Arthur Iturria's grubber kick. At halftime, the Stormers led 16-5, a fair score despite Yohan Orabé's crucial tackle on Dylan Maart in the 20th.
The second half featured a 20-minute red card for Stormers' Adre Smith in the 49th after stamping on Swan Cormenier. Bayonne capitalized: Arnaud Erbinartegaray scored in the 53rd on a counter, closing to 10-16. The Basques even led with Lucas Paulos's try in the 61st, fueled by crowd energy.
Yet, a yellow card to Leolin Zas in the 68th wasn't enough. Bayonne's discipline faltered with yellows to Facundo Bosch (71st) and Marco Fepulea'i (74th). The Stormers finished with Paul De Villiers's try in the 76th, plus Swart's penalty after the whistle, denying Bayonne the defensive bonus (26-17).