The Hollywoodbets Sharks welcome English giants Saracens to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday for the first home game of their Investec Champions Cup campaign.
Toyota Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn has announced his squad for their EPCR Challenge Cup against Stade Français.
While the DHL Stormers aim to maintain their strong form against Stade Rochelais in round two of the Investec Champions Cup, the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Cheetahs and Lions will be desperate to bounce back from opening-round defeats to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The DHL Stormers provided the only ray of light in a bleak opening weekend of European rugby for the five South African teams, as they toppled Aviron Bayonnais in France, while the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Lions, and Toyota Cheetahs all faltered in their Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches.
The Toyota Cheetahs are in England for the opening round of the 2025/26 EPCR Challenge Cup, where they will face the Exeter Chiefs in the last match of the weekend on Sunday, 7 December.
The Sharks can confirm that Head Coach John Plumtree has communicated to The Sharks ownership his intention, to step away from his role following the conclusion of our upcoming fixture against Toulouse in France.
Reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles will kick off the defence of their Investec Champions Cup crown against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria, while the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks both face tough away fixtures in France as the European showpiece gets underway this weekend.
A massive opportunity beckons for the Vodacom Bulls in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday as they stake a claim for a semi-final spot after booking their quarter-final berth against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium in the Scottish capital.
Bulls coach Jake White is sweating an another knee injury for flyhalf Johan Goosen picked up in the 48-7 Champions Cup win over Bordeaux in Pretoria on Saturday.
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It will be a case of sink or swim for the five South African franchises participating in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup competitions this weekend as the pool stage reaches a close with the first playoff round, which will play out in April, moving into view.
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