REVEALED: Why Tel Aviv Heat missed Euro cut

REACTION: Axed from the controversial Mzansi Challenge on political grounds, Tel Aviv Heat came within a whisker of facing South African teams in Europe.

@rugby365com can reveal that Georgian outfit Black Lion - who along with the Currie Cup champion Cheetahs received invites to take part in the 2023-2024 Challenge Cup - edged the Israeli outfit by a hairbreadth.

The two teams - Cheetahs and Black Lion - were offered invitations to participate following a detailed and competitive tender process by the Challenge Cup organisers.

EPCR said in a statement it received interest from clubs across Europe and beyond - including an impressive application from Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s first professional club.

The Heat has been performing strongly in the Rugby Europe Super Cup - losing to Lion in the Final.

EPCR, in a letter to the Heat, said that the Israeli team only lost out because in the organisers' opinion, they were not convinced the Heat had the depth to sustain a full campaign.

The Georgian team managed to beat their Israeli rivals twice in the first season of the Super Cup - 33–10 and 52-28.

However, in Season Two the Heat drew 25-all with the Lion in Georgia and then beat them 24-18 in Israel.

In the Final, Lion triumphed 29-17 in a spiteful encounter.

Coming so close to qualifying for a place in Tier Two of Europe's leading tournaments, is scant consolation for a team that was denied participation in South Africa's Mzansi League in a manner that was heavily criticised by World Rugby.

@king365ed

@rugby365com