Challenge Cup

Stormers players celebrate a late try scored by Andre-Hugo Venter of the Stormers during Investec Champions Cup 2023/24 game between the Stormers and La Rochelle at Cape Town Stadium on 16 December 2023

Euro cup picks: Stormers, Bulls advance to quarters

The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls win on Saturday to progress to the 2023-24 Champions Cup quarter-finals, according to the SARugbymag team.

Bryan Habana, Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith, Danie Rossouw and Joe van Niekerk at Toulon

SA fans should be queuing for Euro clashes

South Africans have a legacy of excelling in the EPCR, which must be leveraged to increase support for local teams when they play at home, writes MARK KEOHANE.

LIVE: Benetton vs Lions

Follow the live action as Benetton face the Lions in a #ChallengeCupRugby knockout clash in Treviso. #BENvLIO

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21: Willem Alberts of the Lions with the ball during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers at Emirates Airline Park on October 21, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Lions to take a bite out of Benetton

Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys has emphasised building fresh momentum in Italy on Saturday, as veteran forward Willem Alberts looks to sign off with a flourish.

BKT United Rugby Championship, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban, South Africa 25/11/2023 Hollywoodbets Sharks vs Dragons Aphelele Fassi of the Hollywoodbets Sharks celebrates after scoring Mandatory Credit

Rejuvenated Fassi faces his Bok reality

Aphelele Fassi was “bummed” not to make the Springbok World Cup squad in 2023, but the fit-again fullback is seizing every opportunity with the Sharks this season.

State of the Euro cups: Stormers locked on La Rochelle

The DHL Stormers renew hostilities with La Rochelle as John Dobson’s charges brace for a titanic showdown in Cape Town against the Champions Cup title-holders on Saturday.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 25:Coenie Oosthuizen of the Hollywoodbets Sharks with Eben Etzebeth of the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Emile van Heerden of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Dragons at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on November 25, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

Sharks star in doubt for Euro cup duel

Head coach John Plumtree is sweating over the availability of lock Eben Etzebeth for the clash between the Sharks and Zebre Parma in Durban next Sunday.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Huw Evans Agency/Shutterstock (14204722f) Lions Head Coach Ivan van Rooyen during warm up Scarlets v Emirates Lions, BKT United Rugby Championship, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales - 11 Nov 2023

Cash rues Lions’ impatience

The Lions paid the price for inconsistency in their loss to Ospreys on Saturday, and coach Ivan van Rooyen expects better in a crucial Challenge Cup clash next week.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 21: Francois Venter of the Hollywoodbets Sharks with John Plumtree (Head Coach) of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the Hollywoodbets Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on March 21, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

Sharks to sharpen Euro ‘edge’

John Plumtree said Saturday’s clash against Edinburgh is the ideal opportunity for a full-strength Sharks side to click as a unit before tackling Zebre Parma in the Challenge Cup.