It will be a case of sink or swim for the five South African franchises participating in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup competitions this weekend as the pool stage reaches a close with the first playoff round, which will play out in April, moving into view.
The Stormers have confirmed that Springboks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will join the franchise in the 2024/25 season from Montpellier Hérault Rugby.
Sharks coach John Plumtree acknowledged the significant threat posed by Antoine Dupont in their Investec Champions Cup clash against Stade Toulousain at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.
Toulouse showcased their dominance as the reigning champions, comfortably defeating the Sharks 20-8 in a lackluster Investec Champions Cup encounter at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.
Autumn Nations Series, Challenge Cup, Champions Cup, Rugby, Rugby Championship, Rugby World Cup, Sharks, Springboks
Toulouse star Antonio Dupont admits that memories of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final between South Africa and France will inevitably surface as his team prepares to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (17:15).
The Sharks will be without four Springboks players when they host Investec Champions Cup title-holders Toulouse at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
The main South African focus as the Investec Champions Cup returns with round three this weekend will be on the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ clash with French giants Toulouse, while the other two local sides still have an outside chance of advancing to the playoffs.
DHL Stormers director of rugby, John Dobson has cleared the air on rumors linking Sharks flanker, Siya Kolisi with a potential return to the United Rugby Championship side in Cape Town.
Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree has provided an update on the injuries of several Springboks who have missed recent matches.