Union Bordeaux-Bègles delivered a dominant performance to crush the Sharks 66-12 at Chaban-Delmas to secure top spot in their Champions Cup group with a perfect record.
French superstar Damian Penaud stole the show with an extraordinary six-try haul. At times it felt like the French winger near single-handedly dismantled the South African visitors’ defence.
It had all started so well for the Sharks, who scored twice in the opening six minutes.
Jurenzo Julius crossed the line in the third minute following slick interplay down the touchline before Hakeem Kunene added a second moments later, exploiting gaps in the Bordeaux defence to finish in the corner.
Bordeaux responded in kind, with Penaud beginning his scoring spree in the 12th minute. After working the Sharks’ defensive line, the hosts spread the ball wide for Penaud to touch down. He struck again five minutes later, pouncing on an intercepted pass to sprint clear and equalize.
By the half-hour mark Penaud had completed his hattrick, powering over from a scrum to cap a relentless first-half display.
Bordeaux led 17-12 at the break, and from there, the floodgates opened.
In the 43rd minute, Maxime Lucu added a sublime bonus-point try, linking up with Penaud, whose vision and precision created a scoring opportunity for the scrum-half.
Ugo Boniface then muscled over from close range shortly after, before Yoram Moefana extended the advantage in the 54th minute.
Penaud wasn’t done though. In the 66th minute he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to beat Hendrikse and score.
Et de 4 !
On en garde un peu pour le Tournoi des Six Nations @PenaudD ? pic.twitter.com/YQ1m5udLZz
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 19, 2025
Five minutes later, Jalibert’s pinpoint cross-field kick found the 28-year-old Penaud for his fifth try.
Il ne s’arrêtera pas ! Cinquième essai de @PenaudD !@UBBRugby pic.twitter.com/9ddznU9oxj
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 19, 2025
He added a sixth a few moments later, capitalizing on a turnover to go solo under the posts.
À partir de maintenant on donne plus que le chiffre : 6 !@PenaudD pic.twitter.com/CoE4Ty6hl8
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 19, 2025
Penaud’s brilliance wasn’t limited to his own scoring. Late in the game, he unselfishly set up Jacques Nguimbous for the young debutant’s first professional try, demonstrating his playmaking ability as Bordeaux closed out a comprehensive victory.
With ten tries in total, Bordeaux sealed a resounding 66-12 win, cementing their status as arguably the team to beat in this season’s Champions Cup.
