Champions Cup

SA’s Euro Cup exit ‘not all doom and gloom’

South Africa’s maiden experience of the Champions and Challenge Cup will benefit both the local franchises and the Springboks in the long run, writes MARK KEOHANE.

SA teams’ Euro dream dashed in transit

Defeat was inevitable in the Champions and Challenge cups for the remaining sides from the Republic, given their need to travel abroad, according to GAVIN RICH.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 06: Jesse Kriel of Canon Eagles runs with the ball during the NTT Japan Rugby League One match between Yokohama Canon Eagles and Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

Saffas Abroad: Kriel cruising in Japan

Catch up on the South Africans in action during the European cup quarter-finals, and the Springboks in the thick of things in the race for Japan’s League One playoffs.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 01: Steven Kitshoff of the DHL Stormers during the Heineken Champions Cup, round of 16 match between DHL Stormers and Harlequins at DHL Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by EJ Langner/Gallo Images)

Highlights: SA teams KO’d in Europe

The inaugural SA challenge in European Cup competitions came to an end on Saturday when the Sharks, Stormers and Lions lost their respective quarter-finals.

(13863393db) Toulouse vs Cell C Sharks. Cell C Sharks' Grant Williams scores a try that was later disallowed Heineken Champions Cup Quarter-Final, Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse, France 8/4//2023 - 08 Apr 2023

Powell: Forward pass killed Sharks

Neil Powell says the decision to rule out Grant Williams’ second try for a forward pass was the turning point as the Sharks suffered a heavy defeat against Toulouse in the Champions Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

Rugby Union - 2022 / 2023 European Rugby Heineken Champions Cup - Quarter Final - Exeter Chiefs vs DHL Stormers - Sandy Park - Saturday 8th April 2023 Exeter Chiefs' Sam Simmonds scores his sides fourth try. COLORSPORT / Ashley Western Exeter Chiefs v Stormers, Heineken European Champions Cup, Quarter-final, Rugby Union, Sandy Park, Exeter, UK - 08 Apr 2023

Dobson: Stormers were ‘blown away’

John Dobson made no excuses after the DHL Stormers were beaten by Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup quarter-finals, despite the absence of Deon Fourie and the tricky travel schedule to England.

EXETER, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs reaches out to score the team's second try whilst being tackled by Ernst Van Rhyn of DHL Stormers during the Heineken Champions Cup Quarter Finals match between Exeter Chiefs and DHL Stormers at Sandy Park on April 08, 2023 in Exeter, England.

Ruthless Chiefs send shoddy Stormers packing

The Exeter Chiefs brought an end to the DHL Stormers’ maiden Champions Cup campaign with a brutal display of clinical, attacking rugby in the quarter-finals in Exeter on Saturday.

Sharks torn apart in Toulouse

The Sharks’ maiden Champions Cup campaign ended in a heavy quarter-final defeat against Toulouse in France on Saturday.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 01: Damian Willemse of the DHL Stormers during the Heineken Champions Cup, round of 16 match between DHL Stormers and Harlequins at DHL Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by EJ Langner/Gallo Images)

Stat Attack: Exeter Chiefs vs Stormers

Get all you need to know as the DHL Stormers take on English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup in Exeter on Saturday.