The Cheetahs will compete in Europe again, after accepting an invitation from organisers for the 2024-25 EPCR Challenge Cup, it was announced on Tuesday.
The Tbilisi-based Black Lion and the Cheetahs, who will play their home matches in Amsterdam, have fulfilled EPCR’s participation criteria of having a home venue in Europe, as well as the ability to select competitive matchday squads and to adhere to the required minimum standards for staging a fixture.
Both clubs have already made significant contributions to the Challenge Cup on the pitch with the Cheetahs reaching the knockout stage of tournament in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Last season, Black Lion made history by becoming the first Georgian club to participate in an EPCR tournament and their impact was immediate with a superb away victory against the Scarlets, while the Cheetahs’ fixture against Pau in Amsterdam generated a sell-out attendance at the NRCA Stadium.
“We are absolutely delighted to invite Black Lion to continue their EPCR Challenge Cup journey for the next two seasons,” EPCR chairman Dominic McKay said.
“The inclusion of Black Lion and the continuation of the Cheetahs’ participation reflect a commitment to widen the scope of our tournaments and to showcase new, exciting talent to fans worldwide. The Cheetahs have already enhanced the EPCR Challenge Cup with their performance last season, and we are confident that the Georgians’ passion and physicality will further raise the intensity of the tournament.”
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Cheetahs chief executive Ross van Reenen added: “We are honoured that the Cheetahs have been invited to participate in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons of this esteemed competition. We eagerly anticipate returning to Amsterdam as our home base, especially following the success of record attendance and sell-out at the NRCA Stadium. Being part of this prestigious international competition is significant for us, and I sincerely thank the EPCR and SA Rugby for this incredible opportunity.”
EPCR will continue to engage with Rugby Europe and World Rugby on common strategic goals which could in the future include the development of a meritocratic pathway into the EPCR Challenge Cup or long-term invitations for competitive clubs with ambitious development plans.
The 18 clubs in the 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup will once again compete in three pools of six, and the Pool Draws for next season are scheduled for Tuesday 2 July in Cardiff. Full details of the event will be communicated shortly.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
The post Cheetahs get Europe extension appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Cheetahs will compete in Europe again, after accepting an invitation from organisers for the 2024-25 EPCR Challenge Cup, it was announced on Tuesday.
The post Cheetahs get Europe extension appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
