Stormers and Bulls get tough Euro draws

NEWS: The pool draws for the 2023-24 European Cup and Challenge Cup competitions have been made.

With just two South African teams in the top flight, European Cup, the Stormers and Bulls are left to carry the South African flag.

The Stormers have probably the toughest pool – Stade Rochelais, Stade Français, Leicester Tigers, Leinster and Sale Sharks all joining the Cape Town franchise in Pool Four.

The Bulls, in Pool One, have Saracens, Bordeaux, Bristol Bears, Connacht and Lyon.

However, with teams playing four pool games home or away – with no repeats and no same-league clashes – the Stormers won’t face Leinster (United Rugby Championship rivals) and the Bulls won’t play Connacht.

It still leaves some huge match-ups.

* In the Challenge Cup – where there are still two vacant spots for teams to be invited – the Sharks are in Pool One and the Lions in Pool Two.

The Cheetahs, who featured in the Challenge Cup last season, would hope to get one of the two invites.

Pool One features Pau, Dragons, Zebre, Oyonnax, Sharks and an invited team.

Pool Two features Ospreys, Perpignan, Newcastle Falcons, Lions, Montpellier and Benetton.