South Africa’s top rugby franchises are set for high-stakes clashes in Europe this weekend as the knockout stages of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup get underway.
The DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, and Hollywoodbets Sharks will all be in action in their respective Round of 16 encounters, with places in the quarterfinals hanging in the balance.
The Stormers will kick off the action on Saturday afternoon when they take on French side Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol. The Cape Town outfit heads into the clash brimming with confidence after securing three consecutive victories in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC), a run that has propelled them into second place on the standings.
Despite their strong domestic form, the Stormers are expected to face a stern test against a Toulon side eager to turn their fortunes around. While the French club has impressed in the Champions Cup, recent struggles in the Top 14, particularly at home will add to their urgency. The Stormers will also be wary of their previous defeat to Toulon in Cape Town last season, a result that could motivate the hosts.
Later on Saturday, the Vodacom Bulls will lock horns with the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. The Pretoria-based side will be seeking redemption after suffering a 21-12 defeat to the Scots earlier this season.The match pits one of the URC’s most potent attacking teams against one of its most disciplined defensive units. Glasgow, currently among the competition’s frontrunners, will look to extend their unbeaten run in the Champions Cup, while the Bulls aim to upset the odds and keep their European hopes alive.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will travel to Ireland to face Connacht on Friday night. The Durban side will be eager to rediscover the form that saw them lift the title for the first time in the 2023/24 season.
However, they face a confident Connacht outfit riding a five-match winning streak in the URC. The Sharks, meanwhile, come into the fixture on the back of two successive home victories and will be determined to build on that momentum. Having already suffered a heavy defeat to the Irish side earlier in the season, the Sharks will be motivated to turn the tables in what is expected to be a tightly contested clash.
With all three South African teams playing away from home in unfamiliar conditions, the challenge will be significant. Nevertheless, strong performances abroad could provide a major boost to their confidence as they continue their campaigns on both European and domestic fronts.
Match Fixtures (SA Time):
Investec Champions Cup
Toulon vs DHL Stormers – Saturday, 16:00
Glasgow Warriors vs Vodacom Bulls – Saturday, 18:30
EPCR Challenge Cup
Connacht vs Hollywoodbets Sharks – Friday, 21:00
All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.