Bordeaux-Bègles Comeback Tops Bulls 46-33 in Cup Opener

Defending Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Bègles launched their title defense with a dramatic 46-33 comeback victory over the Bulls in the tournament's opening round on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

The match, played under clear conditions at high altitude, unfolded as a high-scoring thriller with 12 tries in total. Bordeaux trailed 33-22 at halftime but dominated the second period, scoring four unanswered tries while the Bulls managed none, securing a bonus point for the hosts with their four first-half scores.

Bordeaux struck first after four minutes when winger Damian Penaud broke through several defenders to score in the corner, converted by flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert. The Bulls responded quickly, with winger Sebastian de Klerk sliding over in the opposite corner, and Handré Pollard adding the extras to level the score at 7-7.

The pace remained frenetic as French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed for Bordeaux's second try in the 12th minute, giving the visitors a 14-7 lead. The Bulls fought back through flanker Reinhardt Ludwig's surge down the left touchline, followed by hooker Akker van der Merwe's maul try. Winger Canan Moodie then added a...