Manie Libbok celebrates after steering the Stormers victory. Photo: @THESTORMERS.
All SA teams qualify for Champions & Challenge Cup playoffs
There has been a good return for South African sides as all five have qualified for the European playoffs, including the Champions Cup.
Manie Libbok celebrates after steering the Stormers victory. Photo: @THESTORMERS.
It was a rewarding weekend for the South African teams as all five sides qualified for the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, with the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks all earning the right to host their playoff matches thanks to crucial victories over the weekend.
The Stormers will host the defending champions, Stade Rochelais, in Cape Town, while the Bulls will face Lyon in Pretoria in the Champions Cup.
ALSO READ: Three interesting coaching considerations for Springboks
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Sharks will host Zebre Parma in Durban, while the Lions will take on Benetton in Italy and the Cheetahs will travel to France to take on Clermont Auvergne.
All matches are scheduled for the weekend of 5/6/7 April, with dates, venues and kick-off times to be confirmed in due course.
ALSO READ: How the Springboks use tech to gain a performance edge
Champions Cup knockouts on the horizon
The Bulls held their nerve in a tight encounter against the Bordeaux Begles for a 46-40 victory in Pretoria on Saturday, while the Stormers scored a late try to emerge 24-20 victors against Stade Francais in Paris in the Champions Cup.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Sharks registered a significant 29-9 away win against the Dragons in Newport, but it was a disappointing finish to the pool stages for the Cheetahs, who suffered a heart-breaking 28-27 defeat against Oyannax in France, and the Lions, who went down 38-28 against Ospreys in Johannesburg.
ALSO READ: ‘Ref did NOT help Springboks at RWC’ — World Rugby rubbishes cheating claims
FIXTURES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Champions Cup round of 16 fixtures (5/6/7 April – home teams first)
Toulouse v Racing 92
Leinster v Leicester Tigers
Northampton Saints v Munster
Bordeaux Begles v Saracens
Harlequins v Glasgow Warriors
Vodacom Bulls v Lyon
DHL Stormers v La Rochelle
Exeter Chiefs v Bath
ALSO READ: INTERVIEW: Naas Botha shares thoughts on Louis Rees-Zammit’s NFL move
EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 fixtures (5/6/7 April – home teams first)
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Zebre Parma
Gloucester v Castres
Benetton v Emirates Lions
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Toyota Cheetahs
Montpellier v Ulster
Pau v Connacht
Ospreys v Sale Sharks
Edinburgh v Bayonne
