Champions Cup road to the final from the round of 16. Photo: EPCR.
The Champions Cup is back after just over two months as the round of 16 throws up a series of mouth-watering encounters involving SA teams.
Champions Cup road to the final from the round of 16. Photo: EPCR.
The Champions Cup is back after just over two months as the round of 16 throws up a series of mouth-watering encounters involving South African teams.
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The tension has been building ever since the conclusion of the pool stage and EPCR’s elite competition now moves into the ever-thrilling knockout stage.
By the end of April, we will know which two teams will be going head-to-head in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 20.
On Saturday, Champions Cup knockout stage rugby heads to South Africa for the first time as Sharks welcome Munster Rugby to Durban in a blockbuster encounter at 12:30.
The hosts’ EPCR Player of the Year-nominated flanker Siya Kolisi up against Munster counterpart Peter O’Mahony is poised to be an enthralling battle – they are just two of a plethora of South Africa and Ireland internationals set to grace Kings Park.
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Another intriguing contest takes place in Cape Town at 15:00 as Stormers entertain Harlequins at Stadium, opposing flyhalves Manie Libbok and Marcus Smith are likely to be key to their respective sides’ quarter-final hopes.
The drama will continue on Sunday when Stade Toulousain and Bulls provide another gargantuan fixture at 15:00, with the South African debutants looking to bounce back from their Round 4 struggles in France.
Five-time champions Toulouse are led by EPCR Player of the Year nominee Julien Marchand, but Vodacom Bulls also have vast experience at hooker in Bismarck du Plessis.
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