Overview
- South Africa are drawn with New Zealand, Fiji and Great Britain, with pool games on Saturday vs Fiji at 12:44, New Zealand at 16:00 and Great Britain at 19:41.
- Players say the Dubai fifth-place finish must be corrected, with Zander Reynders stressing forward dominance against the physical Fijians and All Blacks.
- Uncapped utility back Nabo Sokoyi replaces Mfundo Ndhlovu in the Blitzboks squad for the home tournament.
- Event planners advise free MyCiTi shuttles for ticket holders and road closures from 6am on both days around DHL Stadium.
- Champions Cup Round 1 sees the Stormers at Bayonne on Friday with Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu debuting, the Bulls hosting Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday, and the Sharks away to Toulouse on Sunday, with Bayonne starting Herschel Jantjies at scrumhalf.