With just over 13 minutes remaining Stade Français was reduced to 14 men, when Francisco Gomez Kodela was yellow-carded for repeated scrum penalties. Almost immediately that became 12 – Clement Castets yellow carded for another couple of collapsed scrums.
Hendre Stassen has become the latest South African rugby player to make his return to the professional game following a four-year ban for a failed doping test.
Stade Francais has applied the ultimate sanction to Hendre Stassen, sacking the South African after he tested positive for a banned substance.
It has been a bad week for rugby's image as Hendre Stassen returning a positive B sample doping test has left fans believing drug-taking is a far more widespread issue.
A 21-year-old South African who tested positive for steroid use in Top 14 has now had his B sample tested and is facing a suspension of up to four years.
Stade Francais have had to deal with an avalanche of negative headlines in the past six months, the latest being the provisional suspension of one of their South Africans for doping.
Super Rugby may have diminished in fan interest in recent years, but that hasn't stopped it churning out talent... check out the RugbyPass Super Rugby Under-23 squads.
Not having a team in the Super Rugby play-offs for just the second time in 16 years could be the start of South Africa's declining fortunes in the competition as teams are decimated by player departures.
The last few years have seen Bulls coaches come-and-go again - Nollis Marais (2016/17) and John Mitchell (2018). Pote Human, the third coach in the new era of coaching musical chairs will hopefully restore some stability.
