The Vodacom Bulls and Sharks travel to France while the Lions pack their bags for Scotland in the round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup in April.
The Bulls thumped Stade Francais 48-7 in their last 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup pool match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, and will make their debut in the second-tier Challenge Cup when they face French Top 14 outfit Bayonne in the EPCR playoffs over the weekend of 4 to 6 April.
The Sharks, who were demolished 66-12 by Bordeaux Begles in the Champions Cup on Sunday, will tackle Lyon at Matmut Stadium as defending Challenge Cup champions.
MORE: ‘No excuses’ for SA’s Euro cup woes – Siya
Ivan van Rooyen’s Lions, meanwhile, will make their third consecutive appearance in the last 16 of the competition when they face fellow Vodacom URC outfit Edinburgh at Murrayfield. The Pride secured their place with a comprehensive 60-10 win against Dragons in Johannesburg.
In the pick of the Champions Cup round of 16 clashes, title-holders and six-time champions Toulouse host Sale Sharks, while Irish giants Leinster – losing finalists for the past three seasons – and Premiership club Harlequins lock horns in Dublin.
Challenge Cup round of 16:
Connacht vs Cardiff
Montpellier vs Gloucester
Edinburgh vs Lions
Ospreys vs Scarlets
Lyon vs Sharks
Bayonne vs Bulls
Pau vs Bath
Perpignan vs Racing 92
PLUS: Plum glum after Bordeaux battering
Champions Cup, round of 16:
Bordeaux Begles vs Ulster
Leinster vs Harlequins
Northampton Saints vs Clermont
Toulon vs Saracens
Toulouse vs Sale Sharks
Castres vs Benetton
Glasgow Warriors vs Leicester Tigers
La Rochelle vs Munster
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images/Getty Images
The post Euro cups: All aboard for SA teams in playoffs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The @Vodacom Bulls and Sharks travel to France while the Lions pack their bags for Scotland in the round of 16 of the #EPCRChallengeCup in April.
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