Schalk Brits backs the South African clubs to push for the Investec Champions Cup title this season, but only off the back of winning momentum in the Republic.
The Bulls open their 2026-27 campaign against Stade Français in Pretoria on Saturday, followed by the Stormers against the Bristol Bears in Cape Town.
Ivan van Rooyen’s Lions travel to France and tackle former champions La Rochelle in the Pride’s maiden appearance in the competition.
The Stormers and Bulls have reached the quarter-finals but gone no further, although the Sharks won the EPCR Challenge Cup by defeating Gloucester in London two years ago.
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In a wide-ranging interview with News24, Brits highlighted the importance of home form against the touring side from Europe to build confidence to compete abroad.
“You have to win at home, and if you lose at home, you’re almost out of the competition, so that makes it very hard,” the former Springbok and Saracens star said.
He mentioned the demands of French away trips, from unfamiliar food to training sessions watched by cameramen, which limit what teams can rehearse before the weekend.
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The 2019 World Cup winner, who lifted the Champions Cup trophy in 2016 and 2017 after losing the 2014 final to Toulouse, urged a collective push.
“How amazing would it be to be the first South African club side to win it?” Brits said.
“That’s the one thing, as a collective, we should strive for, be it the Bulls, Stormers or Lions. It’s the one trophy we need to put in a cabinet.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Schalk: If you lose at home, you’re done appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Schalk Brits backs the South African clubs to push for the Investec Champions Cup title this season, but only off the back of winning momentum in the Republic.
The post Schalk: If you lose at home, you’re done appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
