The DHL Stormers 2024-2025 season in both United Rugby Championship play and Investec Champions Cup action has not been smooth, but in Round 3 of pool play of the Investec Champions Cup, the Stormers looked like anything but a team that has lived at the bottom of the table in both competitions.

The Stormers raced to a 14-0 halftime lead over the Sale Sharks of the Gallagher Premiership and picked up a massive bonus-point win with an emphatic 40-0 win in Cape Town. 

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The DHL Stormers delivered a masterclass performance in Round 3 of the Investec Champions Cup, trouncing the Sale Sharks. A six-try romp, spearheaded by Manie Libbok’s brilliance with the boot, secured a crucial bonus-point victory for the South African side.

DHL Stormers Rumble To Big First Half Lead Vs. Sale Sharks

The Stormers established dominance early, with JD Schickerling crossing the line in the 21st minute. Libbok, who played a pivotal role throughout the game, added the conversion to make it 7-0. 

Four minutes later, Libbok showcased his own try-scoring ability, darting over the line and converting his own effort to extend the lead to 14-0 before halftime.

The Sharks struggled to find any rhythm and discipline, with yellow cards to Frans Malherbe (35’), Robert du Preez (47’), and Joe Carpenter (53’) compounding their woes.

Sharks Run Away In Second Half Vs. Sale Sharks

The second half was all Stormers. Sti Sithole powered over in the 45th minute, with Jean-Luc du Plessis adding the extras. 

Warrick Gelant, Paul de Wet and Andre-Hugo Venter also contributed to the try count, with Libbok nailing three more conversions to seal the emphatic win.

Sale’s lack of composure was evident, as its defense crumbled under sustained Stormers pressure, while the offense failed to capitalize on opportunities.

DHL Stormers Vs. Sale Sharks Scoring Summary

DHL Stormers: Tries:JD Schickerling (21’), Manie Libbok (25’), Sti Sithole (45’), Warrick Gelant (54’), Paul de Wet (63’), Andre-Hugo Venter (70’) Conversions: Manie Libbok (22’, 26’, 64’, 71’), Jean-Luc du Plessis (46’)

What's Next For DHL Stormers And Sale Sharks In Investec Champions Cup? 

The Stormers travel to Paris to play Racing 92, which was eliminated from Investec Champions Cup knockout stage in Round 3. The Sharks return to England to play RC Toulon in Round 4. 

Both teams will be playing for spots in either the Champions Cup or EPCR Challenge Cup Knockout stages.

Investec Champions Cup 2025 Round 3 Schedule

All Times Eastern

• Glasgow Warriors 29, Racing 92 19
• DHL Stormers vs. Sale Sharks, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8 a.m., DHL Stadium
• Exeter Chiefs vs. Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 AM, Sandy Park
• Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Stade Toulousain, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 a.m., Hollywoodbets Kings Park
• Munster Rugby vs. Saracens, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 p.m., Thomond Park
• Stade Francais Paris vs. Northampton Saints, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 12:30 p.m., Stade Jean Bouin
• Leicester Tigers vs. Ulster Rugby, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 p.m., Mattioli Woods Welford Road
• Castres Olympique vs. Vodacom Bulls, Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3 p.m., Stade Pierre-Fabre
• RC Toulon vs. Harlequins, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 8 a.m., Stade Felix Mayol
• Stade Rochelais vs. Leinster Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 a.m., Stade Marcel Deflandre
• Bristol Bears vs. Benetton Rugby, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 10:15 a.m., Ashton Gate
• Bath Rugby vs. ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 12:30 p.m., The Rec

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 4

• Ulster Rugby vs. Exeter Chiefs, Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3 PM, Kingspan Stadium
• Vodacom Bulls vs. Stade Francais Paris, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8 AM, Loftus Versfeld
• Northampton Saints vs. Munster Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens
• ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Bristol Bears, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Marcel-Michelin
• Benetton Rugby vs. Stade Rochelais, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Stadio Monigo
• Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 12:30 PM, Aviva Stadium
• Harlequins vs. Glasgow Warriors, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Twickenham Stoop
• Racing 92 vs. DHL Stormers, Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 3 PM, Paris La Defense Arena
• Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8 AM, Stade Chaban-Delmas
• Saracens vs. Castres Olympique, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, StoneX Stadium
• Stade Toulousain vs. Leicester Tigers, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 10:15 AM, Stade Ernest Wallon
• Sale Sharks vs. RC Toulon, Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 12:30 PM, Salford Community Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

• A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
• 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
• Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
• Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
• The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

• Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
• Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
• Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
• Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
• Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
• Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
• Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
• 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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