With only the top performers advancing to the knockout stages in April, the stakes are higher than ever for the five South African franchises.
The final round of pool matches in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup this weekend will see South African rugby teams vying for crucial victories to secure play-off berths.
With only the top performers advancing to the knockout stages in April, the stakes are higher than ever for the five South African franchises.
Investec Champions Cup: Stormers, Sharks seek play-off survival
DHL Stormers: Facing Racing 92 in Paris, the Stormers are currently fourth in their pool. A victory is essential to ensure they stay in control of their play-off destiny. Fresh off a dominant 40-0 win against Sale Sharks, the Capetonians will aim to replicate that form.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Taking on Pool One leaders Bordeaux-Begles, the Sharks face a daunting task. Bordeaux boasts an unbeaten record and leads the competition in tries scored. A bonus point may be necessary for the Durban team, depending on results from other matches.
Vodacom Bulls: Out of Champions Cup play-off contention, the Bulls host Stade Francais in Pretoria. They aim to end their campaign with a morale-boosting win and possibly sneak into the EPCR Challenge Cup play-offs.
EPCR Challenge Cup: Lions and Cheetahs in All-or-Nothing Clashes
Emirates Lions: Hosting the Dragons at Emirates Airline Park, the Lions must secure a win to overtake their opponents on the table. A victory would likely guarantee their play-off spot, given the Dragons’ slim points difference advantage.
Toyota Cheetahs: In Lyon, the Cheetahs face a team ranked higher in their group. With Cardiff and Perpignan also vying for play-off spots, the Free Staters must deliver a clinical performance to stay in contention.
Fixture Overview
Investec Champions Cup Round 4
Vodacom Bulls vs Stade Francais Paris
Date: Saturday, 18 January
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Time: 3pm (SA Time)
TV: SuperSport
Racing 92 vs DHL Stormers
Date: Saturday, 18 January
Venue: La Defense Arena, Paris
Time: 10pm (SA Time)
TV: SuperSport
Bordeaux-Begles vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
Date: Sunday, 19 January
Venue: Stade Chabane-Delmas, Bordeaux
Time: 3pm (SA Time)
TV: SuperSport
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4
Emirates Lions vs Dragons
Date: Saturday, 18 January
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Time: 5.15pm (SA Time)
TV: SuperSport
Lyon vs Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Saturday, 18 January
Venue: Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon
Time: 7.30pm (SA Time)
TV: SuperSport
With play-off hopes on the line, fans can expect a weekend of intense action as South Africa’s rugby franchises give it their all in Europe. Will they rise to the occasion, or will their campaigns come to an early end?