EPCR Competitions

31/01/2024 - EPCR Announces Venues For 2025 And 2026 Finals Weekend - Following a highly competitive tender process conducted in conjunction with The Sports Consultancy that generated impressive bids from 23 stadia across 12 countries, the Board of EPCR awarded the 2025 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals to the Welsh capital’s iconic 74,000-capacity 

26/01/2024 - Champions’ Cup Fever Is Coming To South Africa - The Investec Champions’ Cup fever is coming, even though it may seem as if South African audiences have been slow to embrace the tournament in the first year and a half. That’s the view of Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White. 

26/01/2024 - Heineken Champions Cup Team Of Week 4 - South Africans Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers) and  Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls) have been named in the Heineken Team of the Week for the fourth round of the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup.

25/01/2024 - Daniel Kasende Suspended For Dangerously Using His Forearm - The Toyota Cheetahs wing, Dan Kasende, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Oyonnax Rugby at Stade Charles-Mathon. Kasende was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Eric Jara 

25/01/2024 - PJ Botha's Disciplinary Hearing Decision Released - A citing complaint against the Emirates Lions hooker, PJ Botha, has been dismissed following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against the Ospreys at Emirates Airline Park. Botha was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Olivier Astier (France), for allegedly striking 

24/01/2024 - European Playoffs – Round Of 16 Dates, Venues And Kick-off Times Confirmed - The Vodacom Bulls will host Lyon in Pretoria and the DHL Stormers will welcome defending champions, Stade Rochelais, to Cape Town in the two domestic Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 playoff matches on Saturday, 6 April. The match at Loftus Versfeld will commence at 13h30, while the 

24/01/2024 - Munier Hartzenberg Suspended - The Toyota Cheetahs wing, Munier Hartzenberg, has been suspended for two weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Oyonnax Rugby at Stade Charles-Mathon. Hartzenberg was sent off by the referee, Anthony Woodthorpe (England), in the 19th minute of

23/01/2024 - Primary Goal In EPCR Challenge Cup Achieved By Hollywoodbets Sharks - After completing the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup in the top spot and earning the right to the knock-out stages, the Hollywoodbets Sharks take a deserved break from rugby to recharge. The primary goal at the outset of the tournament would have been to play the kind of winning rugby that 

23/01/2024 - Two Toyota Cheetahs Players Cited Following Loss Against Oyonnax - Two players of the Toyota Cheetahs were cited following their 27-28 loss to Oyonnax Rugby at Stade Charles-Mathon on Saturday, 20 January 2024.

22/01/2024 - “The Last Two Minutes Were Unbearable" - John Dobson - DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson was visibly proud after a 71st-minute try from flyhalf Manie Libbok helped the Stormers claim a nailbiting 24-20 victory against Stade Francais to set up a home Round of 16 fixture against La Rochelle in the 2023/24 Champions Cup competition. “We are thrilled with the result. It was 

22/01/2024 - "Better Than Last Year But Now The Real Test Begins" - Jake White - Jake White said that even the best-case scenario is a tough one, and rotating their squad will be massive in how successful they will be. In the Round of 16, they will host French outfit Lyon Olympique at Loftus, whereafter they will need to travel to Europe for their quarter-final match if they beat Lyon Olympique. 

22/01/2024 - All Five SA Teams Qualify For European Playoffs - It was a rewarding weekend for the South African teams as all five sides qualified for the Round of 16 in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, with the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks all earning the right to host their playoff matches thanks to crucial victories over the weekend. The DHL 

22/01/2024 - Champions Cup: A Weekend When The Big Guns Thundered - The final Pool round of the Investec Champions Cup vindicated what Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White said on the eve of his team’s match against Bordeaux Begles - “This is the time in the competition when the big guns are brought out.” White likened some of the teams participating in the elite European competition to 

21/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Round Of 16 Fixtures Released - Following the conclusion of the EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage the four highest-ranked clubs in each pool have secured their places in the Round of 16 which will be played on the weekend of 5/6/7 April, and the 12 clubs are supplemented by Connacht Rugby, Sale Sharks, Ulster Rugby and Aviron Bayonnais who have 

21/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Round Of 16 Fixtures Confirmed - Following the conclusion of the Investec Champions Cup pool stage the four highest-ranked clubs in each pool have secured their places in the Round of 16 and the two highest-ranked clubs in each pool will have home advantage for the matches which will be played on the weekend of 5/6/7 April.

21/01/2024 - Hollywoodbets Sharks Knock Dragons RFC Out Of EPCR Challenge Cup - Hollywoodbets Sharks ran in five tries against Dragons RFC as the South African club won 29-9 to knock their hosts out of the EPCR Challenge Cup. Scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse, prop Ox Nche, second-row Gerbrandt Grobler, replacement Le Roux Roets and wing Werner Kok all got on the try 

21/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Aviron Bayonnais Earn First Win Against Exeter Chiefs - In a thrilling final Investec Champions Cup pool match, Aviron Bayonnais secured a maiden win in EPCR’s leading competition against Exeter Chiefs. Fly-half Thomas Dolhagaray kicked 10 points, converting five of Aviron Bayonnais’ six tries. It was an all-action first-half in the French Basque country, as full-

21/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Stade Toulousain Secure Top Ranking In Knockout Stage - In an enthralling game, Stade Toulousain confirmed the top spot in Pool 2 with a 31-19 win over Bath Rugby. The Stade Ernest Wallon was treated to a classic, as Thomas Ramos orchestrated a special win for the home team which also secured their position as the number one ranked club in the 

21/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge - Johnson Stear Newcastle Falcons To First Win Of Season - Fly-half Louie Johnson kicked 22 points as Newcastle Falcons picked up their first EPCR Challenge Cup victory of the season, beating USAP 32-23. With both sides winless and out of the competition going into the final pool match, only pride was at stake.

21/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Ospreys Claim Comeback Win Against Emirates Lions - Teenage No. 8 Morgan Morse completed a dramatic fightback for Ospreys who scored three late tries to beat Emirates Lions 38-28 in the EPCR Challenge Cup. Ospreys needed to win in South Africa to secure a third-placed finish in Pool 2 and did so with a trio of scores in the last eight minutes.

21/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Stade Rochelais' Title Defence Lives On With Sale Sharks Win - Stade Rochelais demonstrated exactly why they are the Investec Champions Cup holders with a strong 37-24 win against Sale Sharks at the Salford Community Stadium. The two-time champions were staring down the barrel of elimination after losing their first two games in Pool 4, but with victories 

21/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Determined Dragons RFC Waiting For Hollywoodbets Sharks In Newport - The Hollywoodbets Sharks, who are at the top of their pool in the EPCR Challenge Cup, will have the luxury of entering their match against the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Sunday at 19:30 (SA Time) knowing that they have already booked their place in a home match in the 

21/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Emirates Lions Should Secure Round Of 16 Home Match Against Ospreys - The Emirates Lions will host the Ospreys on Sunday at the Airline Emirates Park on Sunday at 15:00 (SA Time). The Emirates Lions will also have their sights set firmly on a victory against Ospreys at Emirates Airline Park following their defeat against Montpellier last week. The 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Vodacom Bulls And DHL Stormers Secure Home Round Of 16 - The end of rugby’s Investec Champions Cup pool stage is now in sight, and the focus is beginning to turn to which clubs have qualified for the knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 16 in April. Matches continue to be tight and tense as clubs battle to gain what foothold they can in their pool 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Itoje Scores Brace As Saracens Clinch Qualification Against Lyon - Saracens lock Maro Itoje scored a crucial brace of tries for Saracens as the three-time winners of EPCR’s leading competition qualified for the knockout stage of this year’s Investec Champions Cup. Saracens lock Maro Itoje scored a crucial brace of tries for Saracens as the three-time winners of 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Northampton Saints Secure Famous Win Over Munster Rugby - Northampton Saints demonstrated a never-say-die attitude as they came from behind to defeat Munster Rugby 26-23 despite playing most of the game with 14 men. Fly-half Fin Smith was the key, kicking 16 points as the Gallagher Premiership side secured home advantage in the Round of 16. With 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Libbok Secure DHL Stormers Victory Over Stade Francais Paris - A late effort from Manie Libbok secured DHL Stormers home advantage in the knockout stage as his side beat Stade Francais Paris 24-20 in a chaotic Investec Champions Cup encounter. Stade Francais Paris went into the match bottom of Pool 4, but they knew it was still possible to qualify for the Round 

20/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Toyota Cheetahs And Hollywoodbets Sharks Add Their Names To Round Of 16 Playoffs - As we approach the end of the Pool Stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup, focus shifts towards those clubs who have secured their spot in the knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 16 in April. Several teams have already booked their safe passage to the next stage, 

20/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Albornoz Leads Benetton Rugby To Win Against Montpellier Herault Rugby - With 20 points, Tomas Albornoz led Benetton Rugby to a fine victory in the EPCR Challenge Cup, beating Montpellier Herault Rugby 27-19. Both sides knew they were already through to the knockout stages, but Montpellier Herault Rugby went into the match unbeaten 

20/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Last Minute Try Gives Oyonnax Rugby Consolation Win Against Toyota Cheetahs - Last minute try gives Oyonnax Rugby consolation win in an extraordinary game, Oyonnax Rugby defeated Toyota Cheetahs 28-27. With two bonus points, the visitors confirmed their spot in the Round of 16 but Oyonnax Rugby, who knew they could not qualify, saved face with a 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Doris The Hero As Leinster Beat Leicester Tigers - Caelan Doris was the hero for Leinster Rugby, scoring their fourth try to secure a bonus point and home advantage in the knockout stage after a 27-10 win over Leicester Tigers. Leinster Rugby went into the match knowing they had already qualified for the Round of 16, while Leicester Tigers needed at least a point 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Racing 92 Smash Cardiff Rugby To Make Round Of 16 - Racing 92 qualified for the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 with a bonus-point win against Cardiff Rugby. The TOP14 club only won one of their four pool games, but will now look to be a threat in the knockout stage of the competition.

20/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - ASM Clermont Auvergne Secured Home Playoff Against Black Lion - ASM Clermont Auvergne secured home advantage in the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup with a bonus-point 36-03 win over Black Lion. ASM Clermont Auvergne secured home advantage in the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup with a bonus-point win over Black Lion.

20/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Missed Conversion Costs Zebre Parma Victory Against Section Paloise - A missed 78th-minute conversion by Zebre Parma’s Geronimo Prisciantelli was the difference between success and defeat for the United Rugby Championship side as they fell to a 28-27 defeat to Section Paloise at Stade du Hameau in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday. Wing Simone 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Coetzee Shine For Vodacom Bulls In 86-point Thriller Against Union Bordeaux-Begles - Vodacom Bulls flanker Marcell Coetzee dazzled with a first-half double as the United Rugby Championship (URC) club bested Union Bordeaux-Bègles 46-40 in a thrilling encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon in Pool 1 of the Investec Champions Cup. Coetzee 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Harlequins Smash Ulster Rugby To Give Hope Of Home Tie - Louis Lynagh came off the bench to score a brace of tries as Harlequins put Ulster Rugby to the sword in their Round 4 47-19 Investec Champions Cup win. Lynagh was not included in the original 23, but came in as a late change and was on the field within 15 minutes, scoring both of his tries before the 

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Determined DHL Stormers Awaits Stade Français - The DHL Stormers will be determined to register a victory against Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin on Saturday 19:30 (SA Time) in the French capital, where they will be hunting their third victory in a row in the competition against the winless Parisian outfit. With three of the other main contenders for a playoff

20/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Toyota Cheetahs Need 2 Log Points To Secure Place In Round Of 16 - The Toyota Cheetahs will take on Oyonnax in France on Saturday in the final round of the EPCR Challenge Cup at 17:15 (S Time), needing two points to secure their place in the Round of 16. The Toyota Cheetahs will be desperate to bounce back from their first defeat in the tournament last

20/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Vodacom Bulls Will Be Desperate For Win Over Union Bordeaux-Bègles - The Vodacom Bulls will host Bordeaux Begles in the final round of the Champions Cup, in Pretoria on Saturday @ 15:00 (SA Time). With both teams already qualified for the Round 16 play-offs the hosts will be desperate for a 5-pointer against their visitors. The Vodacom Bulls will face 

19/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Ten Teams (Including Vodacom Bulls) Have Already Booked Their Place In Round Of 16 - The end of rugby’s Investec Champions Cup pool stage is now in sight, and the focus is beginning to turn to which clubs have qualified for the knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 16 in April. Matches continue to be tight and tense as clubs battle to gain what 

19/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Six Teams Have Already Booked Their Place In Round Of 16 - Several teams have already booked their safe passage to the next stage, while others head into the final matches of the Pool campaign needing positive results to boost their chances of advancing. Below, we list all the clubs that have earned their places in the EPCR Challenge Cup 

19/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Gloucester Rugby Routed Castres Olympique To Secure Home Playoff - Fly-half Adam Hastings notched up a personal tally of 15 points as Gloucester Rugby routed Castres Olympique 35-5 to secure home advantage in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16.
In an exciting first half, both teams crossed once as Gloucester Rugby centre Seb Atkinson opened the

19/01/2024 - EPCR Challenge Cup - Schoeman Star In Edinburgh Rugby's Win Over Scarlets - Pierre Schoeman starred as Edinburgh Rugby sealed their place in the knockout stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup with a bonus point win, beating Pool 3's bottom side Scarlets 31-19 in Wales. Scrum-half Ben Vellacott, prop WP Nel, winger Duhan van der Merwe, and flanker Hamish Watson got things 

19/01/2024 - Champions Cup - Connacht Hopes Lifted By Win Against Bristol Bears - It was a disappointing return to Dexcom Stadium for Pat Lam as Connacht Rugby ended their eight-match losing run with a 27-10 demolition of his Bristol Bears in the Investec Challenge Cup. It means that Connacht Rugby, one of Lam's former teams, lifted themselves off the bottom of Pool 1.