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KioskNews
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Friday, October 9, 2026
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The South African·South Africa·

Champions Cup rugby: When do Stormers, Bulls, and Lions play?

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Bruce Douglas

From next week, the Stormers, Bulls, and Lions begin their European Rugby Champions Cup campaigns.

The Sharks and the Cheetahs also start their EPCR Challenge Cup seasons next weekend.

Here’s the latest on the fixtures of South African teams competing for European silverware.

When does the European Rugby Champions Cup start?

The competition begins on 16 October with reigning champions Union Bordeaux Begles travelling to Gloucester Rugby.

South Africa’s fixtures see the Bulls host Stade Français Paris at Loftus Versfeld on 17 October.

Later on Saturday, the Stormers are in action against the Bristol Bears at the Cape Town Stadium.

New signing Haashim Pead could be included after his debut against the Sharks off the bench in the URC.

The Lions, in their first Champions Cup appearance, travel to La Rochelle in France to take on Stade Rochelais.

The Champions Cup then takes a long break, resuming on 11 December with the second round of fixtures.

Fixtures for Stormers, Bulls, and Lions

Bulls vs Stade Français Paris – 17 October at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (14:00)

Stormers vs Bristol Bears – 17 October at Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town (16:15)

Stade Rochelais vs Lions – 17 October at Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle (18:30)

All fixture details are correct according to the European Rugby Champions Cup website.

When does the EPCR Challenge Cup begin?

The new season kicks off with a double-header on 16 October: Dragons against Perpignan, and Edinburgh versus RC Toulon.

The Sharks travel for their opener against Lou Rugby in Lyon on 17 October.

The Durban franchise are one-time winners of the competition, defeating Gloucester in the 2023/24 final.

On Sunday, 18 October, the Cheetahs travel to Bayonne to take on Aviron Bayonnais.

The Challenge Cup is on break for the same period as the Champions Cup, resuming on 12 December after the international window.

Challenge Cup fixtures for Sharks and Cheetahs

Lou Rugby vs Sharks – 17 October at Stade de Gerland, Lyon (14:00)

Aviron Bayonnais vs Cheetahs – 18 October at Stade Jean-Dauger, Bayonne (14:00)

All fixture details are correct according to the EPCR Challenge Cup website.

HOW WILL SOUTH AFRICA’S TEAMS PERFORM IN THE CHAMPIONS CUP?

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