SA teams turn attention to Champions and Challenge Cups: Fixtures

Rugby teams in South Africa are focusing on the upcoming Champions and Challenge Cups fixtures, as none have enjoyed much success in the competitions over the last two seasons. The Stormers and Bulls (in the Champions Cup) and Sharks (in the Challenge Cup) all exited at the last-16 stage last year, while the Lions and Cheetahs did not even make the play-offs in the second-tier Challenge Cup.

This has followed a disappointing 2024/25 season, where no teams reached the Champions Cup play-offs, with the Lions, Bulls, and Sharks reaching the Challenge Cup last-16, but only the Bulls advancing to the quarter-finals.

The Stormers and Bulls, having secured impressive home victories in local URC derbies over the weekend, will face off against Bristol Bears and Stade Français respectively in their Champions Cup fixtures. The Stormers will be analyzing Bristol's nine-try-to-seven win over them in the last-16 clash last year, following several controversial referee decisions going against them in the dying moments. Bristol, on the other hand, carries momentum from their nine-try victory over the Lions, beating them 61-49 at Loftus in 2025.

In the Champions Cup, the Lions make their debut appearance after reaching the URC play-offs the previous season. They face a challenging pool 2 opener against La Rochelle, marking their first-ever clash against the French side. Meanwhile, the Sharks and Cheetahs will compete in the second-tier Challenge Cup. The Sharks aim to return to the tournament they won in 2023/24 after two consecutive last-16 exits, facing Lyon in their opening match.

The Cheetahs, meanwhile, play their first-ever Challenge Cup fixture away to Aviron Bayonnais at the Sade Jean Dauger.

As the South African teams gear up for these crucial fixtures, the URC will resume with round two in December, followed by rounds three and four in January.