South African teams face make-or-break weekend in Europe

The final round of pool matches in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup this weekend will see South African rugby teams vying for crucial victories to secure play-off berths.

With only the top performers advancing to the knockout stages in April, the stakes are higher than ever for the five South African franchises.

Investec Champions Cup: Stormers, Sharks seek play-off survival

DHL Stormers: Facing Racing 92 in Paris, the Stormers are currently fourth in their pool. A victory is essential to ensure they stay in control of their play-off destiny. Fresh off a dominant 40-0 win against Sale Sharks, the Capetonians will aim to replicate that form.

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Taking on Pool One leaders Bordeaux-Begles, the Sharks face a daunting task. Bordeaux boasts an unbeaten record and leads the competition in tries scored. A bonus point may be necessary for the Durban team, depending on results from other matches.

Vodacom Bulls: Out of Champions Cup play-off contention, the Bulls host Stade Francais in Pretoria. They aim to end their campaign with a morale-boosting win and possibly sneak into the EPCR Challenge Cup play-offs.

EPCR Challenge Cup: Lions and Cheetahs in All-or-Nothing Clashes

Emirates Lions: Hosting the Dragons at Emirates Airline Park, the Lions must secure a win to overtake their opponents on the table. A victory would likely guarantee their play-off spot, given the Dragons' slim points difference advantage.

Toyota Cheetahs: In Lyon, the Cheetahs face a team ranked higher in their group. With Cardiff and Perpignan also vying for play-off spots, the Free Staters must deliver a clinical performance to stay in contention.

Fixture Overview

Investec Champions Cup Round 4

Vodacom Bulls vs Stade Francais Paris

Date: Saturday, 18 January

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Time: 3pm (SA Time)

TV: SuperSport

Racing 92 vs DHL Stormers

Date: Saturday, 18 January

Venue: La Defense Arena, Paris

Time: 10pm (SA Time)

TV: SuperSport

Bordeaux-Begles vs Hollywoodbets Sharks

Date: Sunday, 19 January

Venue: Stade Chabane-Delmas, Bordeaux

Time: 3pm (SA Time)

TV: SuperSport

EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4

Emirates Lions vs Dragons

Date: Saturday, 18 January

Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Time: 5.15pm (SA Time)

TV: SuperSport

Lyon vs Toyota Cheetahs

Date: Saturday, 18 January

Venue: Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon

Time: 7.30pm (SA Time)

TV: SuperSport

With play-off hopes on the line, fans can expect a weekend of intense action as South Africa's rugby franchises give it their all in Europe. Will they rise to the occasion, or will their campaigns come to an early end?