The Sharks and Cheetahs’ pools for next season’s EPCR Challenge Cup have been confirmed.
The 2026-27 tournament will once again have 18 clubs – eight from the Vodacom URC, six from the Top 14, two from the English Premiership and two invited clubs (Cheetahs and Georgia’s Black Lion) – competing in three pools of six.
Teams will play against four of the six teams in their pool – two home and two away.
Frans Steyn’s Cheetahs have been drawn in Pool 1 alongside Ulster, Perpignan, the Dragons, Bayonne and Zebre.
Former champions the Sharks have been drawn in Pool 2 with the Newcastle Red Bulls, Lyon, Castres, Benetton and the Scarlets.
Pool 3 consists of the Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon and Vannes.
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The Cheetahs and Black Lion’s invitations followed a competitive tender process that attracted interest from clubs across multiple countries, highlighting the increasing appeal and profile of the tournament.
Both clubs satisfied the required participation criteria, including establishing a European home base, demonstrating the ability to field a competitive squad and meeting EPCR’s minimum match standards.
The pool stage will get underway on 16 October.
EPCR Challenge Cup pools
(Teams to play four teams in their pool – two home, two away)
Pool 1: Cheetahs, Ulster, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonne, Zebre Parma
Pool 2: Benetton, Lyon, Newcastle Red Bulls, Sharks, Castres, Scarlets
Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon, Vannes
EPCR Challenge Cup 2026-27 match weekends
Round 1: 16/17/18 October 2026
Round 2: 11/12/13 December 2026
Round 3: 8/9/10 January 2027
Round 4: 15/16/17 January 2027
Round of 16: 2/3/4 April 2027
Quarter-finals: 9/10/11 April 2027
Semi-finals: 30 April/1/2 May 2027
Final: Friday, 21 May 2027
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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