With new names, formats and trophies, the European Champions Cup era got underway over the weekend with a whole host of South Africans in action.

Zane Kirchner and Leinster were made to work hard to come from behind against Ashley Johnson’s Wasps on Sunday, recovering from a 12-point deficit to eventually put their English visitors away. Richardt Strauss played his part coming off the bench as Leinster were given a real scare by Wasps, whose form, exemplified by Johnson, has been good in the early parts of the new season.

European champions Toulon had a winning start at home to the Scarlets earlier on Sunday, with Bryan Habana, Juan Smith and Bakkies Botha all in the XV who were given a real challenge from the visiting Welsh region.

Wynand Olivier was a try scorer in the all-French Pool 4 clash between Montpellier and Toulouse, with Olivier’s side picking up a valuable losing bonus point from the Stade Ernest Wallon. Springbok prop Gurthrö Steenkamp was given the start at loosehead by Toulouse.

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Meanwhile at Welford Road a second-half try from Franco van der Merwe wasn’t enough for Ulster, as they fought back to claim a losing bonus point themselves against Leicester Tigers. The former Lions talisman was joined in the Ulster side by Louis Ludik and Wiehaan Herbst as the Irish province showed real character to respond from 22-3 down to finish at 25-18.

Johan Goosen came off the bench to put the icing on the cake for Racing Métro with a late conversion, as they claimed a valuable win over visiting Northampton Saints in Paris. A real scrap of a contest that remained low-scoring throughout, a poor decision to kick by Ben Foden resulted in Racing winning the contest thanks to Marc Andreu’s try. Goosen made sure that Northampton left the French capital with no points to their name, something that may prove crucial when the knockout stages are decided.

Alistair Hargreaves led Saracens to an entertaining 30-23 win at home against Clermont Auvergne, with Brad Barritt and Petrus du Plessis also getting starts.

There was real concern however for Schalk Brits, as the South Africa hooker suffered a serious knee injury after coming on as a replacement in the second half. Brits was stretchered off the field, with head coach Mark McCall admitting the club were ‘praying’ for good news. Brits has only just returned to Saracens following Springbok duty in the Rugby Championship.

CJ Stander was outstanding in Munster’s last-gasp victory over Sale Sharks, requiring a late Ian Keatley drop goal to win 27-26. There was little to cheer however for Rory Kockott, whose Castres outfit were outmuscled by Harlequins in the tournament’s opening match on Friday night. Kockott kicked three penalties in vain.

Meanwhile in the Challenge Cup, Edinburgh’s contingent of Andries Strauss, WP Nel and Anton Bresler were part of a fightback over Bordeaux-Bègles in France to win their first match.

Ricky Januarie was Lyon’s first try scorer in a 28-18 victory over English side London Welsh, while Gio Aplon and Ross Skeate couldn’t find success on Grenoble’s visit to Wales in a defeat to Cardiff Blues.

Pedrie Wannenburg’s Oyonnax were made to work for a 33-24 win over Italian outfit Zebre, coming from behind to triumph in Parma, while there was victory for Bayonne and JC van Rensburg over Don Armand’s Exeter Chiefs despite the French club conceding three yellow cards in the space of 20 minutes.

Finally, Morné Steyn and Stade Français were stunned by Newport Gwent Dragons in a famous win for the Welsh region in Paris. Meyer Bosman’s try came too late as Rynard Landman and the Dragons no doubt celebrated long into the night.

Results:

Friday 17 October

Harlequins (ENG) 25-9 Castres (FRA)

Saturday 18 October

Sale (ENG) 26-27 Munster (IRL)

Saracens (ENG) 30-23 Clermont (FRA)

Glasgow (SCO) 37-10 Bath (ENG)

Racing-Metro (FRA) 20-11 Northampton (ENG)

Leicester (ENG) 25-18 Ulster (IRL)

Sunday 19 October

Toulouse (FRA) 30-23 Montpellier (FRA)

Ospreys (WAL) 42-7 Treviso (ITA)

Toulon (FRA) 28-18 Scarlets (WAL)

Leinster (IRL) 25-12 Wasps (ENG)