Challenge Cup last 16 fixtures: Sharks rewarded for being top seeds

NEWS: The Sharks will be the only South African side with home advantage in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

The Durban-based side progressed to the play-offs as the top-seeded team in the tournament after their 29-9 win over the Dragons in Newport on Sunday.

It means they will face Zebre Parma at Kings Park in the Round of 16.

The Lions and Cheetahs will be in Italy and France for their play-off matches.

The Cheetahs have a tough fixture against Clermont Auvergne, while the Lions will be up against Benetton

*The four highest-ranked teams in each pool have secured their places in the Round of 16 which will be played on the weekend of April 5/6/7, and the 12 teams are supplemented by Connacht, Sale Sharks, Ulster and Aviron Bayonnais who have qualified from the Champions Cup.

The exact dates and kick-off times of the Round of 16 fixtures will be announced at a future date.

EPCR CHALLENGE CUP

Round of 16 – April 5/6/7
R16 1: Sharks (1) v Zebre Parma (16)
R16 2: Gloucester (2) v Castres Olympique (15)
R16 3: Benetton (3) v Lions (14)
R16 4: ASM Clermont Auvergne (4) v Cheetahs (13)
R16 5: Montpellier (5) v Ulster (12)
R16 6: Section Paloise (6) v Connacht (11)
R16 7: Ospreys (7) v Sale Sharks (10)
R16 8: Edinburgh (8) v Aviron Bayonnais (9)
NB The teams ranked numbers one to eight will have home venue advantage.

Quarterfinals – 12/13/14 April
QF 1: winner R16 1 v winner R16 8
QF 2: winner R16 2 v winner R16 7
QF 3: winner R16 3 v winner R16 6
QF 4: winner R16 4 v winner R16 5
NB The highest-ranked teams from the pool stage will have home venue advantage.

Semi-finals – 3/4/5 May
SF 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 4
SF 2: winner QF 2 v winner QF 3
NB The highest-ranked teams from the pool stage will have home venue advantage.

EPCR Challenge Cup Final – Friday, May 24; Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.