The Sharks and Cheetahs both face daunting French trips in the opening round of the 2026-27 EPCR Challenge Cup.
The EPCR confirmed the fixtures for the new Challenge Cup season on Friday, with the competition kicking off on 16 October.
The Sharks, winners of the tournament in 2024, travel to Lyon to face the 2022 champions in pool 2 on 17 October in one of the standout opening-round fixtures.
MORE: Champs Cup fixtures confirmed
Lyon will have extra motivation this season, with the Challenge Cup final set to be played in their home city. The French club will also face Benetton, Scarlets and Newcastle Red Bulls during the pool stage.
The Cheetahs have been drawn in a formidable pool 1 alongside Ulster, Bayonne, Perpignan, Dragons and Zebre.
The Free Staters will open their campaign away to Bayonne on 18 October before hosting the Dragons in round 2.
They then travel to Zebre in round 3 before rounding off their pool campaign with a home clash against Perpignan.
Elsewhere, the Dragons launch the tournament against Perpignan at Rodney Parade on the opening night, while Edinburgh host Toulon in another marquee round 1 encounter.
Last season’s finalists Ulster begin their campaign away to Zebre before facing Bayonne, Perpignan and Dragons as they bid to go one step further this season.
Cheetahs fixtures – Pool 1
Round 1: Bayonne (away)
Round 2: Dragons (home)
Round 3: Zebre (away)
Round 4: Perpignan (home)
Sharks fixtures – Pool 2
Round 1: Lyon (away)
Round 2: Scarlets (home)
Round 3: Castre (home)
Round 4: Benetton (away)
2027/27 EPCR Challenge Cup Pools
Pool 1: Cheetahs, Ulster, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonne, Zebre
Pool 2: Benetton, Lyon, Newcastle Red Bulls, Sharks, Castres, Scarlets
Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon, Vannes
EPCR Challenge Cup Match Weekends
Round 1: 16, 17, 18 October 2026
Round 2: 11, 12, 13 December 2026
Round 3: 8, 9, 10 January 2027
Round 4: 15, 16, 17 January 2027
Round of 16: 2, 3, 4 April 2027
Quarter-Finals: 9, 10, 11 April 2027
Semi-Finals: 30 April, 1, 2 May 2027
Final: Friday 21 May 2027
FULL EPCR CHALLENGE CUP FIXTURES HERE
Photo: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
The post Sharks, Cheetahs travel for Challenge Cup openers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Sharks and Cheetahs both face daunting French trips in the opening round of the 2026-27 EPCR Challenge Cup.
The post Sharks, Cheetahs travel for Challenge Cup openers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
