South Africa's Stormers opened their Champions Cup campaign with a statement win over Bristol Bears, with Jonathan Roche and Leolin Zas each scoring twice.
South Africa's Stormers have announced themselves in the Champions Cup. They beat Bristol Bears in their pool-stage opener, with Jonathan Roche and Leolin Zas each crossing the whitewash twice.
The Cape Town side brought the attacking edge that has made them one of the most entertaining teams in the southern hemisphere. Roche and Zas were the headline acts, and their double strikes left Bristol chasing the game and searching for answers.
For Bristol, the result is a disappointing start to a competition where every pool-stage point matters. The Bears will need to regroup quickly and tighten up defensively if they want to stay in the race for the knockout rounds.
For the Stormers, this is a strong early marker. South African sides keep proving they belong at the top table of European club rugby, and a win in the opener gives the Cape Town outfit a platform to build on as the pool stage unfolds.
