EPCR Challenge 10/12/2023 - Jordan Hendrikse Powers Emirates Lions To Opening Win Over USAP - The Emirates Lions, who reached last year’s quarter-finals, proved a stubborn outfit for their French hosts and led throughout to win 28-12. TOP14 side USAP struggled to break through their visitors with all of their points coming from kicker Jean-Pascal Barraque. 09/12/2023 - Late Brace From Rio Dyer Helped Dragons RFC To Bonus-point Win Over Oyonnax - A late brace of tries from Rio Dyer helped Dragons RFC to a 24-7 bonus-point win at Rodney Parade in the EPCR Challenge Cup against Oyonnax Rugby. The game was tied at seven all until the 74th minute when Dragons RFC finally got over again, which triggered a whirlwind 09/12/2023 - Dewi Lake Scores Four Tries As Ospreys Had To Work Hard To Overcome Benetton - Ospreys secured a hard fought 43-34 win over Benetton Rugby in round 1 of the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup at the Swansea.com Stadium. In a thrilling first half, Ospreys took the lead three times, only to be pegged back on each occasion. 09/12/2023 - Castres Olympique Smash Scarlets RFC - Castres Olympique were the main force of the first half, with Scarlets suffering two sin bins. The first came almost as soon as the match started, wing Steff Evans at fault, with the second coming in the 31st minute with scrum-half Kieran Hardy punished. 09/12/2023 - Lukhanyo Am's Double Helps Hollywoodbets Sharks To Big First Win - Am crossed twice in the first half to get a sensational scoring display off to a flyer. Fly-half Curwin Bosch converted Am's two tries and added a penalty, but missed one on the half-hour that could have given the hosts a more commanding lead at the interval. 09/12/2023 - Gloucester Rugby Won The War Against Black Lion - The 23-year-old was successful with five penalties, scoring all of Gloucester Rugby’s points, in a war of attrition against the EPCR competition debutants. In a battle of the fly-halves, Black Lion’s Luka Matkava notched all 10 of the Georgian side's points - scoring the only try of the contest in addition to a penalty and a 09/12/2023 - Man Of The Match By Ruan Pienaar Powers Toyota Cheetahs To Victory Over Zebre Parma - The former South African international kicked four penalties and three conversions – tallying 18 points – as the Bloemfontein-based side routed their Italian counterparts. The 39-year-old converted tries from wing Cohen Jasper, inside centre Reinhardt Fortuin and replacement front 09/12/2023 - Emirates Lions Banking On The Strength Of Their Squad Against USAP - Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen will be banking on the strength of the squad at his disposal as the South African side takes on USAP in their EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 2 opener in Perpignan on Sunday. With Emirates Lions placed ninth in the United Rugby Championship (URC) following 09/12/2023 - Newsome Double Sinks Edinburgh Against Clermont - Australian full-back Alex Newsome was at the heart of the performance, scoring a crucial brace of tries as scores from centre George Moala and replacement Daniel Bibi Biziwu secured a bonus point win in Pool 3 for the hosts. It was a difficult first-half for Edinburgh Rugby, who struggled to make their 08/12/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Name Line-up For First EPCR Challenge Cup Clash - The Toyota Cheetahs will be playing their first EPCR Challenge Cup match against Zebre Parma on Saturday, 09 December 2023 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, Italy. Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA Time). The hosts returned home after a two-week tour of South Africa in the Vodacom 08/12/2023 - Hollywoodbets Sharks Name Line-up To Face Section Paloise In Durban - The Hollywoodbets Sharks have been bolstered by the return of some of their players back from injury as they venture into their first foray of EPCR Challenge Cup action this weekend, hosting Section Paloise at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon. In changes from last 08/12/2023 - Emirates Lions Name Line-up For EPCR Challenge Cup Fixture Against USAP - The Emirates Lions will open their 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup account against French outfit USA Perpignan this Sunday at the Stade Aimé Giral. The Lions match 23 sees a series of exciting combinations, as well as franchise debuts, locks Etienne Oosthuizen and Raynard Roets, winger Boldwin 07/12/2023 - Three SA Clubs Gear Up For Fresh EPCR Challenge Cup - The Emirates Lions, meanwhile, will have all the motivation they need to start the competition on a high note against Perpignan after an encouraging start to the tournament last season in which they advanced to the quarter-final and with the side coming fresh off back-to-back victories in the Vodacom URC. 05/12/2023 - Emirates Lions Mixing It Up For EPCR Challenge Cup Fixtures - Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said he was ready to put his squad’s depth to the test over the next few weeks as they switch their attention to the Challenge Cup. The Lions are currently on their way to France for a match against Perpignan and will then return to Johannesburg and face Newcastle Falcons at 05/12/2023 - Emirates Lions Name Touring Squad To Face Perpignan - Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named the 26 players who will do duty for him in France for his sides’ first Investec Challenge Cup outing of the 2023/24 season against Perpignan this Sunday. Earlier this week, the Lions team boss stressed the need to make use of his current squad, meaning 04/12/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Name Touring Squad For Round 1 of 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup - The Toyota Cheetahs will be travelling to Parma for their first match of the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup against Zebre Parma. The match in Italy kicks off at 15:00 (SA time) on Saturday and will be live on SuperSport. They will return to South Africa for Round 2 against the 14/11/2023 - EPCR Challenge Cup Hopefulls Lay Early Markers - Emirates Lions, who face ties against USAP, Newcastle Falcons, Montpellier Hérault Rugby and Ospreys in Pool 2, had a 76th-minute try from outside centre Henco van Wyk try to thank for the victory – fly-half Sanele Nohamba adding his third and final crucial conversion with just minutes remaining. 06/07/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Included In 2024 EPCR Challenge Competition - The two clubs were offered invitations to participate following a detailed and competitive tender process during which EPCR received interest from across Europe and beyond, including an impressive application from Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s first professional club, who have been performing strongly in the Rugby 21/06/2023 - Tough Draws For SA Teams in Heineken Cup/EPCR Challenge Cup - The two South African teams in the 2023/24 Champions Cup, the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls, will respectively face the current continental champions, Stade Rochelais, and England’s top side, Saracens, in the pool phase of next season’s competition. Furthermore, the Cell C Sharks have been drawn with 15/06/2023 - EPCR Tournament Formats For 2023/24 Announced - Clubs will play four different opponents home or away with same-league matches being kept to a minimum, and only impacting clubs from the Vodacom URC. The four highest-ranked clubs from each of the pools will qualify for the knockout stage. The pool draws for the 2023/24 tournaments will take place at the Tottenham 19/05/2023 - RC Toulon Clinched EPCR Challenge Cup Outclassing Glasgow Warriors - RC Toulon clinched the EPCR Challenge Cup for the first time in their history after outclassing Glasgow Warriors in an assured 43-19 victory in Dublin on Friday night. The French heavyweights, playing in the final of the competition for a fifth time, crossed five times in front of 31,514 fans at the 18/05/2023 - Cheslin Kolbe In The Way Of Franco Smith's Dream? - Glasgow Warriors have their first chance to create history and win a European Cup title for Scotland on Friday, but only if they can tame the chaos that is normally created by Springbok Cheslin Kolbe. Franco Smith’s debut season as coach for the Warriors has been incredible, taking the team to the quarterfinals of 25/04/2023 - New Home Of 2024 EPCR Finals Announced - As this season's Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup approach the closing stages with four sensational semi-finals scheduled for this weekend, EPCR is pleased to announce that the 2024 edition of the EPCR Finals Weekend will take place at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With a capacity of 62,850, 12/04/2023 - “The Best Learning Experience Is Exposure" - Ivan van Rooyen - He believes the South African team will benefit in the end from the defeat, as he has already seen progress from his players in the past two months during the outfit’s first ever EPCR ties. “The best learning experience is to be exposed to a game of this magnitude, playing a knockout away from home against a high- 09/04/2023 - South African European Adventure Is Over - The South African challenge in their inaugural season of playing in the top European competitions came to an end on Saturday when the Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions all lost in the quarter-finals of their respective series. The two coastal sides came up short in the Heineken Champions Cup, with Stade Toulousain running 08/04/2023 - Emirates Lions Run Out Of Time Against Glasgow Warriors - But he got a deserved breakthrough for the Emirates Lions, three minutes after the restart. The visitors resumed as they had left out – on the attack – and when they were awarded a penalty 10 metres out, Nohamba reacted more quickly than anyone to tap to himself and twinkle toe through the 08/04/2023 - Emirates Lions Will Need To Deliver A Top-class Display Against Glasgow Warriors - The Glasgow Warriors and Emirates Lions are both coming off big-scoring victories in their EPCR Challenge Cup clashes last week, and they will enter their quarter-final on Saturday at 21:00 (SA Time) at the Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow with confidence. With Glasgow entering the clash 07/04/2023 - Emirates Lions Forced To Make Two Changes For European Challenge Cup Quarter Final Against Glasgow Warriors - Ivan van Zyl, head coach of the Emirates Lions made two forced changes to his line-up for their European Challenge Cup against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday at 21:00 (SA Time). Marius Louw will again captain the squad with Jaco Kriel returning from 05/04/2023 - The Guys Worked Extremely Hard To Get The Result, Especially With The Red Card,” - Ivan Van Rooyen - Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen was left delighted after his team saw off Racing 92 to go deeper into the EPCR Challenge Cup in their debut campaign in the competition. The Johannesburg-based side is the only South African side to reach the 05/04/2023 - Glasgow Warriors Issue Warning To Emirates Lions In EPCR Challenge Cup - As if their 73-33 demolition of Welsh side Dragons wasn’t proof enough of Glasgow Warriors’ form heading into their EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal against the Emirates Lions on Saturday night, the side has now sent out a warning - they can be better. Franco Smith’s rugby revolution at the Scotsoun is 04/04/2023 - Emirates Lions Name Team For EPCR Quarter Final Against Glasgow Warriors - The Emirates Lions named 25-man squad o travel to Glasgow ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final encounter against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday at 21:00 SA Time. Two-try hero from last week Marius Louw captains the squad which sees the inclusion of Stean Pienaar and Jarod 02/04/2023 - European Challenge Cup Quarter Finals Fixtures, Times And Venues Confirmed - Following a highly-competitive Round of 16 weekend, EPCR announced the dates, venues and kick-off times of the European Challenge Cup quarter-final matches. 01/04/2023 - Superb 14-Man Emirates Lions Too Good For Racing 92 - The Emirates Lions - playing with only 14 men for more than an hour - delivered a superb performance to beat French club Racing 92 by 51-28 in their EPCR Challenge Cup playoff in Johannesburg on Saturday evening. Emmanuel Tshituka was shown a red card for a leading elbow while on a strong charge in the 01/04/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Second Half Comeback Too Little And Too Late Against Too Late - French giants Toulon knocked the Toyota Cheetahs out of the EPCR Challenge Cup with a 36-21 (half-time 19-0) victory at the Stade Félix Mayol in the south of France on Saturday. The team from Bloemfontein did well to reach the playoffs, but the trip to France proved to be one step too far for 01/04/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Could Surprise Against Toulon - The Toyota Cheetahs face a challenging task as they line up against Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol in France on Saturday at 13:30 (SAA Time) where they will look to end the hosts’ four-match winning streak in the competition. 31/03/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Name Team For Historic Toulon Clash - “The three weeks of Currie Cup were important to give all the players game time and to select the right players for this match.” Said Coach Hawies Fourie. “We’ll definitely miss a valuable player and kicker like Frans Steyn. Still, we’ve planned accordingly, and the responsible players have done it before and have the 28/03/2023 - Steyn Not Named In Cheetahs Touring Squad - Toyota Cheetahs head coach, Hawies Fourie named the Toyota Cheetahs touring squad that will depart today for France and the Round of 16 match against French giants Toulon on Saturday at 14h30. Springbok veteran Frans Steyn will miss the tour after he took a heavy knock to the knee in the Currie Cup Round Three win 14/02/2023 - Jeandré Rudolph Is Turnover King In EPCR Challenge Cup - With the EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage now finished, we reflect on the notable individual defensive statistics from the first four rounds of fixtures this season and find that Benetton Rugby and Toyota Cheetahs players were to the fore in both categories. 26/01/2023 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Round Of 16 Playoffs Fixtures Confirmed - Clubs with 14 EPCR titles between them, including as many as six former tournament winners, are still in the hunt for coveted silverware following today’s announcement of the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage. Last weekend’s tense 24/01/2023 - Siya Masuku’s Dramatic Match-Winning Penalty Against Section Paloise A Just Reward For His Efforts - Toyota Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie says Siya Masuku’s dramatic match-winning penalty against Section Paloise in the EPCR Challenge Cup was a just reward for his efforts on the training ground. The fly-half nervelessly struck his third three- 23/01/2023 - All Five SA teams Qualify For European Playoffs - With the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pool rounds concluded, the five South African franchises now know exactly who they will face in their playoff matches in 10 weeks’ time in the European showpieces. The round of 16 matches will all take place on the weekend of 31 March to 2 April, but dates and kick-off 23/01/2023 - "We Are Obviously Happy With The Result" - Ivan van Rooyen - Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said during a post-match interview that they are extremely excited to play the Round of 16 against one of the original European powerhouses, Racing 92 at home on the weekend of 31 March 2023. "We are obviously happy with the result, especially in week 3 of 22/01/2023 - EPCR Challenge Cup Round Of 16 Playoffs Decided - Fixtures Confirmed - Following the conclusion of the EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage the six highest-ranked clubs in each pool have secured their places in the Round of 16 which will be played on the weekend of 31 March-1/2 April, and the 12 clubs are supplemented by Lyon, Racing 92, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Sale 22/01/2023 - Toyota Cheetahs Sneak Into EPCR Top 16 Playoffs With Close Win Against Section Paloise - The Toyota Cheetahs hosted Section Paloise in a crucial encounter and converted a penalty with the time already up on the clock to win 09-06 and secure their place in the EPCR top 16 playoffs. Pau dominated the early exchanges of the match, however, the Toyota Cheetahs clawed their 22/01/2023 - Emirates Lions Secure Home EPCR Top 16 Playoff Against Dragons RFC - The Emirates Lions laid the foundation of their 30-22 win against the Dragons RFC in the first 20 minutes of the game. The Emirates Lions secured a home playoff in the EOCR Challenge Cup with this win ending third in their Pool. The Dragons showed their intent with their first try, however, the Emirates Lions 22/01/2023 - The Toyota Cheetahs Favourites Against Section Paloise? - Two teams with almost identical Pool B records meet in Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup as Toyota Cheetahs host Section Paloise in a crucial encounter on Sunday at 15:15 (SA Time). Both teams have won one and lost two heading into the pool stage finale and sit level on six points. Pau hovers just inside the all- 22/01/2023 - Emirates Lions Desperate For Win Against Dragons RFC - In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Emirates Lions will give everything to register a victory against the Dragons at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach at 15h00 (SA Time) to retain their place in the top six in Pool B to qualify for the playoffs. Only two Pool B sides have confirmed their progression to the 20/01/2023 - Emirates Lions Select New Halfback Pairing For Battle With Dragons RFC - Emirates Lions announced their line-up to face the Dragons RFC on Sunday at 15:00 (SA Time) at Rodney Parade. The Lions have not yet qualified for the playoffs and need a win to do so. Two changes were made at the back. Jordan Hendrikse returns from injury to replace Gianni Lombard while André
