Champions Cup

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Marco van Staden of the Bulls during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on December 02, 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Eskom pumped to shed Saracens

Marco van Staden says the Vodacom Bulls will treat Saracens with the respect worthy of the three-time champions in their Champions Cup opener on Saturday. @Vodacom

BARNET, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Mark McCall, (L) the Saracens director of rugby, talks to Saracens captain, Owen Farrell in the warm up during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Bristol Bears at the StoneX Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Barnet, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Sarries on safari to hunt Bulls

Director of rugby Mark McCall is confident that Saracens can beat the Vodacom Bulls when the teams lock horns for the first time on Saturday in Pretoria.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 13: Dylan Sjoblom of FNB UFS Shimlas during the FNB Varsity Cup match between FNB UCT Ikeys and FNB UFS Shimlas at Green Mile, UCT on March 13, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Stormers lock in Varsity Cup star

Lock Dylan Sjoblom is reportedly set to feature in the DHL Stormers matchday lineup against Leicester Tigers in their Champions Cup opener on Sunday.

O’Gara banned once again

La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara has been handed a touchline ban for ill-discipline and will be in the stands for this weekend’s Champions Cup final rerun with Leinster.

Watch: Boks tear it up for Tigers try

The DHL Stormers and Leicester Tigers clash on Sunday in the Champions Cup, and the Capetonians will be wary of the threat posed by Jasper Wiese and Handre Pollard.

Belfast , United Kingdom - 29 October 2023; Mornay Smith of Vodacom Bulls is tackled by Jude Postlethwaite of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Vodacom Bulls at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Tyler Miller/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Bulls to front up to ‘physical’ Saracens

Prop Mornay Smith is expecting a physical battle when the Vodacom Bulls take on Saracens in their opening fixture of the 2023-24 Champions Cup on Saturday.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Luca Sighinolfi/INPHO/Shutterstock (14183877an) Zebre Parma vs Vodacom Bulls. Vodacom Bulls' Sebastian de Klerk BKT United Rugby Championship, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, Italy - 04 Nov 2023

De Klerk bullish about Sarries clash

Winger Sebastian de Klerk is relishing the opportunity to make his Champions Cup debut, as the Vodacom Bulls and Saracens gear up to lock horns in Pretoria on Saturday.

STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Courtnall Skosan during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Zebre at Danie Craven Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Stormers ‘100% confident’ in Leicester-bound warriors

The DHL Stormers have emphasised that whoever gets picked for the Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers will be fully trusted to get the job done.

STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Damian Willemse of the Stormers during the United Rugby Championship match between DHL Stormers and Zebre at Danie Craven Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Stormers resting Bok weapons for Euro champs?

John Dobson has hinted that the DHL Stormers could send a second-string side to Leicester for their Champions Cup opener, as he is keen to avoid “detouring” his star players.

Leicester's Handre Pollard in action during the Gallagher Premiership match at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Saturday November 11, 2023.

Saffas Abroad: Polly on song in Champs Cup rehearsal

Handre Pollard continued his excellent form for Leicester Tigers in a big Premiership victory, ahead of the Champions Cup opener against the DHL Stormers.