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38 - 19
FT
51 - 25
FT
24 - 25
FT
54 - 28
FT
24 - 34
FT
29 - 14
FT
17 - 27
FT
36 - 36
FT
27 - 27
FT
7 - 38
FT
21 - 43
FT
33 - 40
FT
14 - 39
FT
27 - 47
FT
56 - 20
FT
21 - 40
FT
23 - 48
FT
49 - 12
FT
45 - 36
FT
31 - 14
FT
47 - 14
FT
33 - 25
FT
14 - 32
FT
14 - 26
FT
38 - 28
FT
Sunday
14:00
Sunday
14:00
Sunday
14:00
Sunday
16:15
Sunday
18:30
Sunday
18:30
Thursday
21:00

Sharks dedicate dramatic Lyon victory to Hyron Andrews

By Annemie Bester
Sunday 18 Oct 2026
Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach JP Pietersen during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between Lyon and Sharks at Matmut Stade de Gerland on October 17, 2026 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

REACTION: The Sharks produced a remarkable finish in France on Saturday, with Litelihle Bester’s try after the final hooter securing a 40-33 Challenge Cup win over Lyon.

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Coach JP Pietersen dedicated the hard-fought triumph to Hyron Andrews, whose sudden death on Friday sent shockwaves through the rugby community at large.

The Durban side looked set for a draw when Lyon scrumhalf Baptiste Couilloud converted his late try to level the scores at 33-33, but Bester had the final say to seal a memorable victory.

“Today is a really special one,” said Pietersen. “Not just the rugby, but also with Hyron passing away yesterday [Friday]. It’s quite emotional. We’ll definitely dedicate this win to Hyron.”

Andrews, who died suddenly in France on Friday, spent most of his playing career with the Sharks, making more than 100 appearances for the Durban side before joining the Lions via a season at the Sale Sharks.

*Continues below…

 

Pietersen was delighted with the way his team fought until the final whistle to secure a winning start to their European tour, which continues with URC matches against Cardiff and Munster over the next fortnight.

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“If you look at the game, we deserved this win,” he said. “We’ve got some really special players in our group and it was a squad effort.

“There was fight for 80 minutes in the game and to finish it off like that was truly special.”

For Pietersen, the victory was about more than the result. It was an opportunity for the Sharks to strengthen their bonds on tour and demonstrate the qualities he wants them to be known for.

“We want to build connection on tour, we want to show character, and we want to take our identity overseas,” he said. “And clearly, today, you can see there was fight for 80 minutes.

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“As the head coach, that’s all you can ask for, guys to fight for the badge, fight for identity, and fight for each teammate.”

 

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