The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls have booked their places in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16, while Hollywoodbets Sharks will contest the EPCR Challenge Cup playoffs after one of the most successful rounds for the domestic teams in the European showpiece this season.
However, there was heartbreak for the Lions, as they were forced to settle for a 20-20 draw against Perpignan, which signalled the end of their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign due to the French side’s superior standing on the table.
The Vodacom Bulls’ bonus-point 26-24 victory against Section Paloise in France on Friday evening was enough to secure them a Round of 16 place against the Glasgow Warriors away in April, while the DHL Stormers’ 39-26 victory against the Leicester Tigers in Cape Town saw them book a playoff spot against Toulon, also abroad.
Unfortunately for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, their convincing 50-12 victory against Clermont Auvergne in Durban was not enough to keep them in the Investec Champions Cup, but their fifth-place finish in their pool earned them an EPCR Challenge Cup playoff match against Connacht, which means they have a chance of reclaiming the title they won two seasons ago.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions produced an encouraging display against Perpignan in France, with the match ending in a draw, while a late try by Racing 92 saw the Toyota Cheetahs suffer a disappointing 31-28 defeat in Paris as both SA teams’ campaigns ended.
Specific dates, kick-off times and venues for the various Round of 16 matches will be confirmed in due time, but all the action are scheduled for the first weekend of April, when the Vodacom Bulls will take on the Warriors in Glasgow, the DHL Stormers are away to Toulon, and the Hollywoodbets Sharks face Connacht in Ireland.