History will be made this weekend when South African teams play in the Champions Cup for the first time, so here is a look at how the competition works, and which sides will do battle.
How the format works:
A total of 24 clubs qualified from the English Premiership, French Top 14 and the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Three South African teams – the Sharks, DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls qualified as the first SA teams in the European competition.
The 24 clubs (eight from each league) were divided into four tiers based on their performances in the knockout phases of their respective leagues, and/or on their qualifying positions in their respective league tables as follows:
Tier 1 (6 clubs): 1st and 2nd ranked clubs from each league
Tier 2 (6 clubs): 3rd and 4th ranked clubs from each league
Tier 3 (6 clubs): 5th and 6th ranked clubs from each league
Tier 4 (6 clubs): 7th and 8th ranked clubs from each league
The clubs were then drawn and/or allocated from the four tiers into two pools of 12 – Pool A and Pool B. Clubs from the same league in the same tier cannot be in the same pool. Teams will face each other home and away in four games.
The eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool A and the eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool B will qualify for the Round of 16. The teams ranked ninth and 10th in each pool qualify for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Four match points for a win, two match points for a draw. A bonus point will be awarded to a club scoring four or more tries and to a club losing by seven points or fewer.
If two or more clubs in the same pool are equal on match points, their ranking will be determined as follows: (i) the best aggregate points difference from the pool stage; or (ii) if equal, the number of tries scored in the pool stage; or (iii) if equal, the club with the fewest number of players suspended for disciplinary incidents in the pool stage; or (iv) if equal, by drawing lots.
The eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool A and the eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool B will qualify for the Round of 16. The teams ranked ninth and 10th in each pool qualify for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
ALSO: History of the Champions Cup
Photo: Twitter/@ChampionsCup
