Stormers Run Seven Tries Past Bristol in Champions Cup Opener

The Stormers began their European Investec Champions Cup campaign with a commanding 49-12 win over the Bristol Bears in Cape Town on Saturday, 17 October 2026, scoring seven tries and picking up a bonus point, according to The South African.

The game was played in an emotional atmosphere after the sudden death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, 31. The Stormers, the Bears and the crowd observed a moment of silence before kick-off.

Key facts

Final score: Stormers 49, Bristol Bears 12, with a bonus-point win for the hosts.
Seabelo Senatla scored the opening try, and Leolin Zas crossed twice.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked seven from eight.
Hooker JJ Kotze was shown a straight red card in the first half for a head-high tackle.
Bristol's tries came from Joe Owen and replacement hooker Sol Moody.

First half: Bristol start fast, Stormers hit back

Bristol took the early initiative, denying the Stormers possession and forcing them to defend. The visitors failed to convert that dominance into points, and it cost them. A solo turnover by Senatla gave the Stormers the ball, and from an attacking lineout he went through a gap and scored in the corner.

Cobus Reinach thought he had scored from a quick throw-in, but the try was brought back for a knock-on by Zas. The Stormers then won a penalty from a driving maul and scrum, and Senatla beat three defenders before setting up Zas for their second. Bristol flank Joe Owen pulled one back, but the Stormers scored again.

The hosts then lost hooker JJ Kotze to a straight red card for a head-high tackle, but they held on with 14 men until half-time.

Second half: control and a late flurry

Bristol came out well again and this time scored, through replacement hooker Sol Moody. The Stormers' defence then held firm. Reinach snatched a long pass out of the air to run in a try against the run of play, but it was disallowed for a high tackle. Jonny Roche scored the fourth try to secure the bonus point, and late tries from Warrick Gelant, Andre-Hugo Venter and Zas finished the job.

What stood out

The scrum: The Stormers' set piece was dominant.
Red-zone execution: They were clinical when close to the line.
The boot: Feinberg-Mngomezulu's goal-kicking, which had been inconsistent early in the URC, was near-perfect.

What this means for you

For Stormers supporters, a bonus-point win in the opening round is the best possible start to a Champions Cup pool. A bonus point can matter when pools are decided on tight margins.

For the wider rugby community, the tribute to Hyron Andrews was a reminder of how the sport comes together in difficult moments.

What happens next

The Stormers continue their Champions Cup pool campaign.
The disciplinary outcome for Kotze's red card is still to come.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score?

The Stormers won 49-12 against Bristol Bears in Cape Town.

Who scored the tries?

Seabelo Senatla, Leolin Zas (twice), Jonny Roche, Warrick Gelant and Andre-Hugo Venter, plus one more early try. Bristol's tries came from Joe Owen and Sol Moody.