The Investec Champions Cup this season continues to showcase the dominance of French clubs, with Leinster remaining a standout non-French contender. Leinster narrowly defeated La Rochelle, relying on Jacques Nienaber’s blitz defensive strategies to suffocate their opponents. Despite the loss, La Rochelle demonstrated they are among the top-tier teams vying for silverware, alongside Toulouse, Bordeaux Begles, and Leinster.
For South African teams, this season has been challenging, with mixed results in the competition. Johann van Graan’s Bath team achieved a notable win against French opposition, contrasting with an otherwise dominant showing by French teams. In the final round of the pool phase, all South African sides face French opponents: the Bulls host Stade Francais, the Stormers visit Racing 92, and the Sharks travel to Bordeaux. While the Bulls are out of contention, the Stormers and Sharks still have a chance to advance.
Bulls: A Tough Month and Limited Prospects
The Bulls have struggled throughout the Champions Cup, compounded by injuries and a congested rugby calendar. Heavy defeats to Saracens and Northampton Saints, alongside a URC loss to the Sharks, marked a difficult period. Their weakened lineup lost to Castres in the previous round, and their upcoming game against Stade Francais is a dead rubber. Even if they win by a significant margin, their best possible finish is fifth in the pool, which would qualify them for the Challenge Cup’s round of 16—a prospect that might conflict with their URC priorities.
Coach Jake White faces a dilemma: pursuing a Challenge Cup berth entails another overseas trip, potentially detracting focus from their primary competition, the URC. The Bulls’ immediate focus will likely shift to their upcoming derby against the Emirates Lions.
Stormers: Balancing European Aspirations and Domestic Goals
The Stormers’ impressive win over Sale Sharks has rekindled hopes of advancing to the Champions Cup round of 16. Initially, their chances seemed slim after losing to Toulon in the opening round. However, they now control their destiny. Despite this, Coach John Dobson prioritises the URC, referring to it as the team’s “day job.”
A strong URC performance remains crucial for South African teams, as it ensures Champions Cup qualification and better opportunities in future campaigns. Next year’s revised format, granting South African teams full participation privileges, makes URC success even more critical. The Stormers must weigh the value of a Champions Cup knockout berth against the physical toll of competing in both competitions.
Sharks: Fighting for Survival
The Sharks are precariously positioned in the Champions Cup but remain in the qualification bracket for the round of 16. A loss to Toulon, exacerbated by injuries to key players like Eben Etzebeth and Andre Esterhuizen, highlighted their vulnerabilities. Despite this, their five points and superior point differential make it likely they will advance, barring a heavy defeat to Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Begles, however, present a formidable challenge. The French club has been dominant, including a 60-point performance against Exeter Chiefs. A win in Bordeaux is critical but unlikely to alter the Sharks’ seeding, meaning they would face a tough away fixture in the knockout rounds.
French Dominance and Challenges for South African Teams
French teams have showcased their strength throughout the Champions Cup, overshadowing most English and South African sides. For South African teams, the challenge lies in navigating a demanding schedule while contending with logistical hurdles. Frequent travel across hemispheres places significant strain on players, complicating their efforts in both European competitions and the URC.
EPCR Challenge Cup: Mixed Fortunes for Cheetahs and Lions
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, South Africa experienced contrasting fortunes. The Toyota Cheetahs secured their first win by defeating Zebre in Amsterdam, while the Emirates Lions suffered a heavy loss to Montpellier. Both teams must win their final games—against Lyon and Dragons, respectively—to advance to the round of 16.
The Lions’ early-season form has waned, potentially due to their dual focus on the Currie Cup and European competitions. This decline underscores the difficulty of maintaining high performance across multiple tournaments.
