SA sides face European giants in 2025/26 Champions Cup draw

South Africa's top franchises have been handed a daunting set of pool stage opponents for the 2025/26 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup campaigns, following the official tournament draw on Tuesday.

Bulls land in Group of Death

The Bulls, who continue their European rugby education, have been drawn into a formidable Pool Four alongside reigning champions Bordeaux-Bègles and last season's runners-up Northampton Saints - a clash that promises fireworks after the French side edged the Saints in a dramatic final last term.

Adding to the high stakes, Bristol Bears, Scarlets, and Section Paloise round out a group packed with contrasting styles and serious firepower. With Champions Cup regulations prohibiting matchups between teams from the same league, the Bulls will face four of these five sides, home or away.

Sharks reignite rivalry with Toulouse

The Sharks will once again lock horns with five-time champions Toulouse, having suffered a 20-8 defeat to the French heavyweights in Durban earlier this year. Their rematch forms part of a brutal Pool One lineup, which also includes English powerhouse Saracens, Top 14 contenders Clermont, and the always-physical Sale Sharks. Fellow URC side Glasgow Warriors completes the group.

John Plumtree's side will need to raise their game to advance, especially against teams with deep European pedigree and knockout-stage experience.

Stormers face stacked field

The Stormers will battle in Pool Three, which reads like a who's who of European rugby royalty. The Cape Town-based side are set to take on Leinster, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Stade Rochelais, and Aviron Bayonnais - all of whom bring varying tactical threats and deep squads.

The challenge will be particularly steep against perennial title contenders Leinster and defending French champions La Rochelle, but the Stormers have shown they can punch above their weight on European soil.

Lions, Cheetahs headline SA interest in Challenge Cup

In the Challenge Cup, the Lions will compete in Pool Two alongside French outfit Lyon, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons, Benetton, and Perpignan. While perhaps lacking the star power of the Champions Cup, the competition offers a realistic pathway for silverware and valuable international experience.

The Cheetahs, invited once again as a non-URC side, find themselves in an intriguing Pool Three featuring Cardiff, Exeter Chiefs, Racing 92, Stade Français, and Ulster - a competitive mix of northern hemisphere stalwarts and French flair.

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