Crucial final pool round for SA teams in Europe

THE DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Lions face decisive fixtures in the final pool round of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, with their playoff prospects on the line. The Toyota Cheetahs, meanwhile, will aim to end their European campaign on a positive note after their elimination last week.

The Vodacom Bulls open the weekend’s action for the South African teams on Friday night when they face Section Paloise at the Stade du Hameau in France. Two matches will take place on home soil on Saturday, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks hosting Clermont Auvergne in Durban and the DHL Stormers facing off against Leicester Tigers in Cape Town.

In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions travel to France to meet Perpignan on Saturday evening, while the Toyota Cheetahs conclude the weekend’s programme against Racing 92 in Paris on Sunday.

The Bulls face a demanding assignment against Pau after suffering their seventh consecutive defeat of the season, a 61-49 loss to Bristol Bears last week. Despite Pau having only one more victory than the Pretoria side in the competition, the French outfit has been impressive in the Top 14, winning 10 of their 14 matches and sitting just one point behind log leaders Toulouse.

The pressure is firmly on the Bulls, who sit at the bottom of their pool with two points and require a victory to keep their Round of 16 hopes alive. They will also contend with unfamiliar weather conditions against a Pau side that has lost only once at home this season.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks are better placed, trailing fourth-placed Toulouse by two points, but they too need a win to stay in contention for a playoff berth. Clermont Auvergne arrive in Durban without a win in the competition and remain pointless, although their Top 14 form has been stronger, with eight victories from 14 matches.

The Sharks, who lost to Sale last weekend, will draw confidence from playing at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, where they have suffered only one defeat in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and have already recorded a home win in this season’s Investec Champions Cup.

In Cape Town, the DHL Stormers will look to respond after last week’s defeat to Harlequins ended a 10-match winning run. They enter the clash with Leicester as favourites, having been strong prior to that setback and maintaining an unbeaten home record this season.

Leicester, however, cannot be underestimated. They have lost only one more match than the Stormers in the competition and three games in the Gallagher Premiership, and arrive in South Africa after a commanding 57-14 victory over Bayonne.

In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions aim to build on their 42-33 win over Lyon when they face Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral. Both sides are battling to remain in the top four, with Perpignan currently above the Lions on points difference.

A defeat could prove costly, as results elsewhere could jeopardise qualification. The Lions will take confidence from their recent form and their four wins in eight Vodacom URC matches, but will be wary of Perpignan’s strong home record, having won their last three games at home across competitions.

Racing 92 and the Toyota Cheetahs will both be seeking their first win of the campaign when they meet at La Defense Arena. Although both teams are out of playoff contention, pride will be at stake.

The hosts, despite their position near the bottom of the Top 14 standings, have recorded seven wins from 14 matches and remain unbeaten at home this season. The Cheetahs will need a strong all-round performance to overcome Racing 92 and close their European campaign on a high.

MATCH INFORMATION

Investec Champions Cup

Section Paloise v Vodacom Bulls Date: Friday, 16 January Venue: Stade du Hameau, Pau SA Time: 22h00 Referee: Karl Dickson (England) TV: SuperSport

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Clermont Auvergne Date: Saturday, 17 January Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban, SA Time: 15h00 Referee: Christophe Ridley (England) TV: SuperSport

DHL Stormers v Leicester Tigers Date: Saturday, 17 January Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town, SA Time: 17h15 Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France) TV: SuperSport

EPCR Challenge Cup

Perpignan v Lions Date: Saturday, 17 January Venue: Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan SA Time: 19h30 Referee: Filippo Russo (Italy) TV: SuperSport

Racing 92 v Toyota Cheetahs Date: Sunday, 18 January Venue: La Defense Arena, Paris SA Time: 19h30 Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales) TV: SuperSport