SA teams gear up for Euro Cup action

SPOTLIGHT: The five South African franchises return to European Cup action this weekend.

The Stormers and the Bulls can take major steps to Champions Cup play-offs when they take on Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears in the penultimate round of the Champions Cup.

While Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions will be out to make a big statement in the Challenge Cup.

A look at this weekend's action:

The Stormers host the Sale Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

With one win against defending champions Stade Rochelais and one loss against Leicester Tigers away from home, the Stormers currently sit in fourth place in Pool Four.

Sale Sharks are in third place in the English Premiership, having recently beaten defending champions Saracens. They sit in third place in the Champions Cup Pool Four, just ahead of the Stormers on points difference having won one and lost one.

Sale Sharks boast a number of South African players in their squad, with former Stormers such as Ernst van Rhyn, Cobus Wiese and Rob du Preez all set to make the trip to Cape Town this week.

Having seen off the challenge of Stade Rochelais with a dramatic last-gasp touchline conversion from Manie Libbok, the Stormers will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run in the competition.

The Bulls head to the United Kingdom to face Bristol Bears in Round Three in their first-ever Champions Cup meeting.

The Bulls have a big chance to put one foot in the Round of 16.

Their statement win over Saracens in South Africa, followed by a 28-29 loss to Lyon, see third on point difference in Pool One.

In the Challenge Cup, the Pool One leaders Cheetahs will be out to continue their incredible winning run when they face Section Paloise in Amsterdam on Saturday.

Following victories over Zebre and Sharks, the Bloemfontein side are on top of the Pool One with nine points. They will certainly be favourites against the Section Paloise, whom they beat twice last season in their maiden EPCR Challenge Cup campaign – 21-16 in France and 9-6 in their ‘home’ match in Italy.

Sharks, who are second in Pool One with seven points, will look to get back on track after three successive losses when they take on French outfit Oyonnax at Kings Park on Saturday.

The Lions with wins over Perpignan and Newcastle Falcons in Round One and Two, face a very difficult challenge in the form of Montpellier on Saturday.

The Gauteng side, who are second in Pool Two, travel to France to take on leaders Montpellier in the top of the pool clash.

For all the fixtures: CLICK HERE!