Toyota Cheetahs return to 2023/24 Challenge Cup

Currie Cup champions the Toyota Cheetahs and Georgia’s Black Lion, who played in the Currie Cup First Division last year, will compete in the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup after accepting invitations to compete in the competition from the organisers.

While it will be the second successive season for the Toyota Cheetahs in the Challenge Cup, where they reached the knock-out stages last season before losing to eventual winners RC Toulon, the Black Lion will make history by becoming the first Georgian club to play in one of EPCR’s main professional tournaments.

The Toyota Cheetahs will be based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands for their home matches against European opponents, and will face Oyonnax Rugby, Section Paloise, the Cell C Sharks and Zebre Parma in Pool 1. Their pool stage match against the Cell C Sharks will be played in either Bloemfontein or Durban depending on the outcome of the current fixture scheduling process.

Black Lion go into Pool 3 where they will take on two former tournament winners in Gloucester Rugby and ASM Clermont Auvergne, as well as Castres Olympique and Scarlets with their two home matches staged in Tbilisi.

Toyota Cheetahs CEO, Ross van Reenen, said: “We are pleased to have been invited to compete again in the EPCR Challenge Cup and after qualifying for the knockout stage last season, we believe we have the capacity to perform to a higher level in 2023/24. We are looking forward to making a big impression in Pool 1 of the tournament.”

EPCR Chairman, Dominic McKay, said: “The inclusion of Black Lion and the return of the Toyota Cheetahs reflect a continuing commitment to widen the scope of our tournaments and to showcase new, exciting talent for fans worldwide. The Toyota Cheetahs have already enhanced the EPCR Challenge Cup with their performance last season, and we are confident that the Georgians’ passion and physicality will further raise the intensity of the tournament.”

The two clubs were offered invitations to participate following a detailed and competitive tender process during which EPCR received interest from across Europe and beyond. EPCR will continue to engage with Rugby Europe to discuss future plans.

Full details of the fixture schedules for the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup and Champions Cup will be announced as soon as possible, with the tournaments set to kick off with the first round of pool stage matches on the weekend of 8/9/10 December.

EPCR Challenge Cup Toyota Cheetahs Black Lion

Crunch time for Vodacom URC quarter-final hopefuls...

Three of the four South African franchises will have everything to play for on Saturday when they take the field in the ...

Top three in big fight for SA Cup final spot...

The SA Cup will reach a decisive juncture this weekend – with Friday’s two clashes in Bloemfontein and Nelspruit crucial...

Awards: Vodacom URC recognises the league's finest...

As the Vodacom United Rugby Championship edges closer to crowning its 2023/24 champion, the winners of the annual URC Aw...

Irish duo sound ominous Vodacom URC warnings...

In all but one instance the teams in their last chance saloon managed to keep their Vodacom United Rugby Championship ho...

Bulls Daisies take control of the Premier Division...

The Bulls Daisies were made to work hard for their top-of-the-table victory over the Sanlam Boland Dames in Pretoria on ...

Junior Boks are ready for their next challenge

Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko said the tough route into the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship will benefit his squad going into Sunday's playoff encounter against Ireland.

Nche injury forces change to Springbok team

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was forced to make a late change to his team for their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Pretoria on Saturday with prop Steven Kitshoff replacing Ox Nche, who suffered an injury to his pectoral muscle on Tuesday.

Kleyn thrilled as Springbok debut awaits in Pretoria

Former Irish international Jean Kleyn said he was still in a “whirlwind” after being called up to the South African squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and hearing that he would make his Springbok debut against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Southern sides continue to impress at Craven Week

Eastern Province and Western Province maintained their unbeaten records, while there were wins for the hosts, South Western Districts, and Free State on the third day of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week at Outeniqua Park in George.

Vermeulen to lead Boks as Kleyn earns SA debut

Experienced No 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead the Springboks for the third time in their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Unchanged Junior Boks named for Ireland semi-final

The Junior Springboks will face Ireland with an unchanged match day squad in the first semi-final of the World Rugby U20 Championships at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon.

Boks bracing themselves for huge battle in Pretoria

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Duane Vermeulen emphasised the importance of being at the top of their game as well as being adaptable when they line up against Australia in their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, following final on-field preparations on Friday.

Highly anticipated clashes in women's provincials

The Mastercard Golden Lions Women, Cell C Sharks Women, EP Queens and Boland Dames will be in a mad scramble for the fourth spot on the Women’s Premier Division log and a potential semi-final position as the action continues this weekend, with the playoffs moving into view.

Six-try Boks swoosh past Wallabies in Pretoria

The Springboks started their Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign in brilliant fashion with a 43-12 bonus point win over Australia at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, totally dominating their SANZAAR foes on a crisp Pretoria evening.