The rugby calendar may still be confusing South African fans as they come to grips with European schedules, in addition to a plethora of local rugby coming on stream in the more traditional winter season.

But this Saturday sees the first round of knockout matches in the Investec Champions Cup, which is the equivalent of soccer’s Champions League. It is part of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), which also includes the secondary Challenge Cup. 

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While the tournament, and the entire concept of EPCR, might feel new to most South Africans, it has a rich and colourful history in the professional era. It has also provided the backbone for the growth of northern hemisphere rugby. 

In the south, we have always been slightly dismissive of the strength of northern hemisphere rugby, based on Rugby World Cup results. That is a skewed view and at club level at least, the Champions Cup is elite. 

Irish clubs such as Munster and Leinster are among the best teams in the world. French giants Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle), winners of the past two editions of the Champions Cup, and five-time winners Toulouse, are magnificent teams. They come with history, passion and world-class players and coaches.

Manie Libbok in action against La Rochelle last December. He landed a match-winning conversion to give the Stormers a 21-20 victory. (Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Some grumbling up north  

South Africa’s integration into European competition has not been without some grumbling from up north — and with some justification. What used to be a tournament confined to a relatively small geographical region has become global since the Bulls and Stormers and Sharks (in 2023) joined the competition. 

Which is why it’s imperative that at least one team, but hopefully both, of the Bulls and the Stormers, advances through the home round of 16 games this weekend.

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South Africa’s two best teams need to show that they are not just making up numbers at the highest level of European rugby, but that they are realistic contenders. 

Both sides play attractive, rounded rugby, which anyone with a passing interest in the sport can identify. Yet, they need to show they are winners and that their place in the competition is adding value to the entire tournament. 

The shoots of that concept have probably already started to grow, but another few strong performances will further entrench the idea that despite the word “European” in the name, this is now truly a global competition. 

Janko Swanepoel of the Bulls during the Investec Champions Cup match against Lyon at Loftus Versfeld. (Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Tough tests 

The Bulls and Stormers are into the last 16 and they face French clubs Lyon and La Rochelle respectively. The latter team is the reigning European champion, but early-season struggles meant only making it into the play-offs seeded tenth, ensuring an away clash against the Stormers.

It promises to be a brutal contest if La Rochelle’s Pool-stage encounter last December is anything to go by. On that occasion, the match was also played at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, which was probably the deciding factor in an almighty battle. 

The Stormers edged it 21-20 with a late try from hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, and a touchline conversion from Manie Libbok. The French side, under fiery Irish coach Ronan O’Gara, will certainly tap into the memories of that outcome as part of its motivation for the knockout contest. 

O’Gara’s side has also hit a good vein of form recently, which the team underlined with a 23-3 win over French Top 14 leaders Stade Francais, and followed that with a 40-21 win over Oyannax Rugby. 

Although both sides have injury concerns in the front row – La Rochelle is missing Reda Wardi, Pierre Bourgarit and Georges-Henri Colombe, while the Stormers are without Sti Sithole, Ali Vermaak, Kwenzo Blose and Lizo Gqoboka – there is abundant talent everywhere. 

The French outfit has a monstrous pack and is staffed with skilful backline players including decorated French centre Jonathan Danty.

Undefeated Stormers as favourites 

The Stormers though are undefeated at home this season and must start as marginal favourites on that basis alone. Centre Damian Willemse respects the French side but was confident in what his team is capable of doing in this cutthroat contest. 

“La Rochelle have got a great attack and a very balanced game. They can kick, they have big forwards who can take you physically, but so do we,” Willemse said. 

“I think our pack has shown what we can do over the course of the season.”

Willemse wasn’t reading too much into their previous match either. 

“That was a pool game, but this is a round-of-16 game. There is going to be pressure and there are going to be tight moments,” he said. 

“They obviously have a bit more experience than us in terms of playing this competition, but we are just controlling this moment and making sure we are ready, come Saturday.

“When we played them in December it was largely different teams. Our players had just come back from the World Cup, their players had just come back from the World Cup, and there was a very different dimension for them and us. 

“It’s a knockout game and we’re expecting Test-level intensity. They’re the back-to-back champions of Europe and they’ll want to bring their intensity and make a statement, but we won’t sit back and wait for them. We’ll take the challenge to them.” DM