A convincing win for the Stormers in the Champions Cup at home proved the only success on Saturday for South Africa’s teams in the Champions Cup as the Sharks lost to the holders and the Bulls crashed in France.

Stormers thrashed Sale Sharks 40-0 in front of 23,682 to boost their Champions Cup hopes at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Manie Libbok scored 13 points, including a solo try, as the home side eased to victory after a stalemate in the opening 20 minutes.

There were tries for JD Schickerling, marking his 50th Stormers cap, and Libbok in the first half and for prop Sti Sithole, Warrick Gelant, replacements Paul de Wet and Andre-Hugo Venter in the second half.

Sale’s performance was hampered by yellow cards for captain Rob du Preez, Joe Carpenter and replacement Rekeiti Ma’asi-White which left them with only 13 players on the pitch at one point.

Star-studded defending champions Toulouse, with French superstar Anton Dupont playing for only a second time outside f Europe, won 20-8 over the injury-hit Sharks in Durban with giant lock Emmanuel Meafou scoring early and Scottish international Blair Kinghorn adding a second try. There was a late consolation for substitute Jurenzo Julius in an error-ridden encounter.

The Bulls are yet to win in three Pool C games after a 49-10 loss away loss to Castres at the Stade Pierre Fabre.