challenge cup

Ruan PIENAAR of the Toyota Cheetahs during the Currie Cup Rugby match Toyota Cheetahs v Vodacom Bulls at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein on 17 June 2023

Pienaar to hunt Zebre with Cheetahs

Veteran playmaker Ruan Pienaar has been included in the Cheetahs squad for their European Challenge Cup opener against Zebre in Parma.

Leicester's Handre Pollard in action during the Gallagher Premiership match at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Saturday November 11, 2023.

Saffas Abroad: Polly on song in Champs Cup rehearsal

Handre Pollard continued his excellent form for Leicester Tigers in a big Premiership victory, ahead of the Champions Cup opener against the DHL Stormers.

Zebre Parma vs Hollywoodbets Sharks. Sharks' Emile Van Heerden before the game BKT United Rugby Championship, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Italy - 10 Nov 2023

Sharks hit with double-whammy ban

Sharks forwards Hyron Andrews and George Cronje have both been slapped with Vodacom URC bans for the same incident in the loss to Zebre in Parma.

BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 28: Ruben de Haas of Cheetahs during the SA Rugby Preparation Series match between Toyota Cheetahs and Eastern Province Elephants at Toyota Stadium on March 28, 2021 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Cheetahs welcome familiar faces, newbies

The Cheetahs will start their preparations for the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, with United States scrumhalf Ruben de Haas among the new additions to the squad.

(13660051bl) Section Paloise vs Toyota Cheetahs. Toyota Cheetahs celebrate at the final whistle European Rugby Challenge Cup Round 1 Pool B, Stade du Hameau, Pau, France - 10 Dec 2022

Cheetahs holding thumbs for European invite

Hawies Fourie says as newly-crowed Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs are hopeful of receiving another invitation to play in the Challenge Cup next season.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 27: Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet and Ruhan Nel of the DHL Stormers during the Vodacom United Rugby Championship grand final, between the DHL Stormers and Munsterat on May 27, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by EJ Langner/Gallo Images)

Stormers thrown into Euro Cup ‘pool of death’

The DHL Stormers will face defending champions La Rochelle and Premiership finalists Sale Sharks after being drawn in a tough pool for the 2023-24 Champions Cup.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 01: Ernst van Rhyn of the DHL Stormers and Marvin Orie of the DHL Stormers getting ready to scrum with Ben-Jason Dixon of the DHL Stormers and Hacjivah Dayimani of the DHL Stormers in the background during the Heineken Champions Cup, round of 16 match between DHL Stormers and Harlequins at DHL Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa

EPCR overhauls Champions Cup format

The EPCR has announced an overhaul of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, with a return to a multi-pool format for the 2023-24 season.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 17: Joey Mongalo of the Cell C Sharks during the Cell C Sharks training session at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on March 17, 2023 in Durban, South Africa.

Sharks reward for Mongalo

Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo will move across to the Sharks’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship team as the union confirmed its new coaching structure on Monday.