The DHL Stormers can take a major step towards the Champions Cup playoffs when they host a Sale Sharks side boasting a few familiar faces on Saturday.
Also read: A thrilling clash: Stormers claim seventh successive victory against Bulls
The five South African teams return to European Cup action this weekend, with playoff hopes on the line in the penultimate round of the Champions and Challenge Cup pool stage.
The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool will qualify for the Champions Cup Round of 16, with pool rankings determining home advantage for the playoffs.
Having started their Champions Cup campaign with a valiant performance in Leicester, the Stormers claimed the scalp of title-holders La Rochelle in a 21-20 victory in Cape Town and currently sit in fourth place in Pool 4.
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The Vodacom Bulls kicked off their Champions Cup assault with a statement win over three-time winners Saracens in Pretoria, before falling to a one-point defeat in Lyon. That has left Jake White’s team in third place in Pool 1.
Meanwhile, in the second-tier Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs and Lions are waving South Africa’s flag, with two wins from two.
The Cheetahs powered to a 33-15 away win against Zebre, before stunning the Sharks – who were coming off a morale-boosting 45-5 victory over French side Pau – 32-29 in Bloemfontein to top Pool 1.
Despite sending an overhauled side to France in the opening round, the Lions still won 28-12 against Perpignan and followed that up with an impressive 35-13 triumph over Newcastle Falcons at Ellis Park, putting them second in Pool 2, one point behind Montpellier.
The top four of each Challenge Cup pool will progress to the Round of 16, where they will be joined by the fifth-ranked teams from each Champions Cup pool, who will drop down to complete the playoffs.
Looking ahead to this weekend, the Vodacom Bulls travel to England to take on a Bristol Bears team fired up after a Premiership win over Sale Sharks (5.15pm).
Later on Saturday night, the Stormers host Sale (7.30pm), who are set to travel to Cape Town with several South African players, including former Stormers Robert du Preez, Cobus Wiese and Ernst van Rhyn.
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In the Challenge Cup, the Sharks will look to get back on track after three successive losses when they take on French outfit Oyonnax at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm), before the travelling Lions take on Montpellier at the GGL Stadium (10pm). On Sunday, the Cheetahs round things off with a game in Amsterdam against Pau (3pm).
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Stormers claim third consecutive victory in nailbiting coastal derby
Picture: Charles McQuillan / Getty Images for Sale Sharks
Words: SARugbymag