{
  "id": 14385809,
  "title": "OPINION: Time South Africa took the Champions Cup seriously",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/opinion-time-south-africa-took-the-champions-cup-seriously",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-14T06:42:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/opinion-time-south-africa-took-the-champions-cup-seriously/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "It is high time that South African teams began to take the Champions Cup seriously. This weekend, the inaugural round of pool matches will commence in Europe's premier club football competition. For the first time, the Bulls, Stormers, and Lions will represent South Africa in this prestigious tournament. The Sharks and Cheetahs, on the other hand, will compete in the second-tier Challenge Cup.\n\nAfter years of exerting effort and making sporadic attempts, the time has come for the Bulls and Stormers to demonstrate that South Africa regards the Champions Cup with the seriousness it deserves. The Lions, making their debut in the top tier, may not possess the necessary depth or caliber to be viewed as serious contenders, but they can certainly give it their all without much to lose.\n\nA review of the squads selected by the Bulls and Stormers for the Champions Cup suggests that coaches Johan Ackermann and John Dobson are approaching the competition with a fresh perspective this season, which is undoubtedly encouraging. For far too long, South African teams have treated European cup competitions as an inconsequential addition, but this mindset must change. Although playing in both the URC and the Champions Cup can be challenging, European teams manage to do so, and this season, it is up to the Bulls and Stormers to showcase their skills on the international stage.\n\nIn light of the fact that English and French clubs are pushing for a reduced number of teams in the future, it is crucial that South African teams prove themselves this season. They must demonstrate their ability to compete with the best teams in Europe to safeguard their involvement in the Champions Cup in the years to come. To date, no South African team has managed to reach the semi-finals stage, a fact that reflects poorly on our club football scene, considering we consider ourselves to have some of the best clubs in the world.\n\nTherefore, it is now time for the Bulls and Stormers, in particular, to give established European giants like Toulouse and Bordeaux a run for their money should they encounter them throughout the upcoming matches.",
  "summary": "The Bulls, Stormers and Lions will be involved in the top-tier competition, while the Sharks and Cheetahs will be in action in the Challenge Cup.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/how-to-watch-miss-south-africas-seven-part-series-the-mandate",
        "published": "2026-10-14T03:50:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Here are South Africa’s top 10 best-rated beaches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/here-are-south-africas-top-10-best-rated-beaches",
        "published": "2026-10-14T04:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Hazlewood cleans up South Africa as Australia win Durban test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/hazlewood-cleans-up-south-africa-as-australia-win-durban-test",
        "published": "2026-10-14T04:01:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}