challenge cup

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 18: Faf De Klerk of Canon Eagles passes the ball during the League One match between Saitama Yokohama Canon Eagles and Kobelco Kobe Steelers at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

Saffas Abroad: Bok trio go big in Japan

Faf de Klerk was among the Springboks who shone on debut in the Japan League One, while over in Europe, Jasper Wiese and Andre Esterhuizen both played influential roles in Champions Cup wins.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 17: Salmaan Moerat of DHL Stormers receives medical attention during the Heineken Champions Cup match between DHL Stormers and London Irish at DHL Cape Town Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Moerat injury crushes Stormers festive cheer

The Stormers’ celebrations of a first Champions Cup victory was dampened with the news that Salmaan Moerat is expected to be out for a long period of time.

Cheetahs without Bok duo for Scarlets clash

In the absence of the injured Frans Steyn and suspended Oupa Mohoje, the Cheetahs have made four changes to their starting lineup for the Challenge Cup clash against Scarlets in Parma on Saturday.

La Rochelle's South African wing Dillyn Leyds (L) and La Rochelle's French lock Thomas Lavault celebrate after scoring a try during the European Rugby Champions Cup pool B rugby union match between Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) and Northampton at The Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle, western France on December 10, 2022.

Saffas Abroad: Leyds gives defending champs fast start

Here’s a wrap of all the action involving overseas-based SA players in the Champions and Challenge Cup, including how Dillyn Leyds helped La Rochelle make the perfect start.

Jeremy WARD of Stade Francais Paris and James HALL of Stade Francais Paris during the Scores Challenge Cup match between Stade Francais and Benetton at Stade Jean Bouin on December 9, 2022 in Paris, France.

Watch: Hall, Ward combine in Stade win

South African substitutes James Hall and Jeremy Ward were involved in a try as Stade Francais came from behind to beat Benetton in the Challenge Cup on Friday.

Boeboes returns as Lions shuffle backs in Challenge Cup

Andries Coetzee will make his return as the Lions have switched up their backline for their Challenge Cup debut at home to Dragons in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Make SA a Champions Cup fortress

The South African teams must be ruthless when hosting the English and French to go the distance in their debut season in the Champions and Challenge cups, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Henco van Wyk of the Lions in action against Dragons

Lions get new Challenge Cup opponents

The EPCR has officially confirmed that the Lions will be playing against the Dragons in a reduced Pool B in the Challenge Cup following the collapse of Worcester Warriors.

Evan Roos and Deon Fourie in action for Stormers

France star blasts Euro chiefs for SA inclusion

France scrumhalf Morgan Parra says South African clubs should not have been allowed to take part in the European Champions and Challenge Cups next season.

Steven Kitshoff and the Stormers celebrate winning the South African shield

SA teams to be seeded in Euro cup competitions

European rugby’s governing body, the EPCR, has confirmed the format for next year’s expanded Champions and Challenge Cup competitions, which include five South African entrants.