Five South African rugby teams begin their 2026/27 European campaigns across the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup on 16–18 October. The DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls and Lions compete in the Champions Cup, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Toyota Cheetahs enter the Challenge Cup.
The opening round includes two home matches for the Stormers and Bulls and three trips to France for the Lions, Sharks and Cheetahs. Four pool-stage rounds will determine who advances towards the knockout stages and the finals in Lyon in May 2027. The clubs arrive with different challenges, but all five have an opportunity to establish early momentum.
Overview: South African rugby teams, pools and opening fixtures
| Team | Competition | Pool | Round 1 fixture |
| DHL Stormers | Champions Cup | 3 | vs Bristol Bears — 17 Oct, DHL Stadium |
| Vodacom Bulls | Champions Cup | 4 | vs Stade Français Paris — 17 Oct, Loftus Versfeld |
| Lions | Champions Cup | 2 | at Stade Rochelais — 17 Oct, Stade Marcel-Deflandre |
| Hollywoodbets Sharks | Challenge Cup | 2 | at LOU Rugby — 17 Oct, Matmut Stadium |
| Toyota Cheetahs | Challenge Cup | 1 | at Aviron Bayonnais — 18 Oct, Stade Jean Dauger |
EPCR has scheduled four pool rounds: 16–18 October and 11–13 December 2026, followed by 8–10 January and 15–17 January 2027. The Challenge Cup final is set for 21 May 2027, with the Champions Cup final a day later at OL Stadium in Lyon.
Investec Champions Cup: Stormers, Bulls and Lions
The 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup features three South African entrants, each drawn into a different pool. The DHL Stormers host Bristol Bears in Cape Town and face defending champions Union Bordeaux Bègles later in the pool stage. Pool 3 also includes Racing 92, Munster Rugby and Gloucester Rugby, presenting a demanding mix of opponents.
Stormers supporters have already seen the side tested against international opposition. In our earlier DHL Stormers versus All Blacks coverage, the emphasis was on their ability to withstand intense physical pressure. Against Bristol, the relevant questions are set-piece quality, disciplined defence and converting chances in the wide channels.
The Vodacom Bulls start at Loftus Versfeld against Stade Français Paris. Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Cardiff Rugby and Montpellier Hérault Rugby complete Pool 4. Home advantage at altitude is a familiar Bulls strength, but discipline at the breakdown and consistency over four rounds will be just as important as the physical contest.
READ ALSO: Bulls v All Blacks: Loftus, altitude and a Highveld test
The Lions have a particularly notable campaign: this is their debut in the Champions Cup. Pool 2 brings Stade Toulousain, Saracens, Stade Rochelais, Exeter Chiefs and Connacht Rugby. Their opening trip to La Rochelle provides an immediate test of how their attacking ambitions hold up against an established European opponent.
EPCR Challenge Cup: Sharks and Cheetahs
The Hollywoodbets Sharks begin their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign away to LOU Rugby on 17 October. The Sharks won the competition in 2024, so their return has a clear historical reference point. Pool 2 also contains Benetton Rugby, Newcastle Red Bulls, Castres Olympique and Scarlets. Their opening challenge will be to manage possession and territory against a Lyon side with its own strong European ambitions.
The Toyota Cheetahs open away to Aviron Bayonnais on 18 October. They are invited participants rather than United Rugby Championship qualifiers, and their Pool 1 opponents also include Ulster, USAP, Dragons RFC and Zebre Parma. Their official touring squad includes Faf de Klerk, while the club has described its travelling group as a blend of experienced players and emerging talent.
For the Cheetahs, the Challenge Cup remains a valuable competitive pathway against clubs from other professional leagues. Both they and the Sharks need points across four rounds, not just one standout performance, to remain in contention for the knockout stages.
What the first European rugby fixtures will test
The South African clubs enter the European pool stage with two different sets of demands. The Bulls and Stormers must make home fixtures count before tougher travel commitments; the Lions, Sharks and Cheetahs begin on French soil. How teams handle travel, defensive organisation, substitutions and set-piece pressure could shape their campaigns from the outset.
There is also a longer-term story beyond the senior teams. Competitive opportunities at school, university and community levels help sustain the next generation of players. SportPesa’s recent Forward Faster 7s and rugby-development partnership is part of that domestic development conversation, separate from the EPCR competitions themselves.
READ ALSO: The 2026 FNB Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield season
Where to follow Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures
EPCR publishes the official match schedule, team lists and results for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. SportPesa South Africa is the destination to check any rugby markets currently offered. Competition coverage and available selections can vary.
South African rugby in Europe FAQs
Which South African teams are in the 2026/27 Champions Cup?
The DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls and Lions are the three South African representatives.
Are the Sharks playing in the Champions Cup?
No. The Hollywoodbets Sharks compete in the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup alongside the Toyota Cheetahs.
When do the South African clubs begin their European campaigns?
The Bulls, Stormers, Lions and Sharks open on Saturday 17 October 2026. The Cheetahs begin on Sunday 18 October.
When are the 2027 European rugby finals?
The EPCR Challenge Cup final takes place on 21 May 2027 and the Investec Champions Cup final on 22 May in Lyon.
READ ALSO: DHL Stormers vs All black
Conclusion
South African rugby teams enter the 2026/27 European club competitions with five clubs and two distinct routes towards the Lyon finals. The Stormers, Bulls and Lions face heavyweight Champions Cup pools, while the Sharks and Cheetahs carry their ambitions into the Challenge Cup. The first round will offer an early measure of each club’s readiness, with set-piece performance, travel and squad depth all likely to matter as the season develops.