Overview
- The Stormers confirmed Springbok loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu to debut in Bayonne, with Ben-Jason Dixon starting and captain Salmaan Moerat marking his 50th start.
- Bayonne selected World Cup-winning scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies to face his former club, with kick-off set for Friday at 10pm SA time.
- The Bulls welcome reigning Champions Cup winners Bordeaux-Bègles to Loftus on Saturday, with UBB highlighting Pretoria’s altitude and preparing a first-choice squad including Damian Penaud and Matthieu Jalibert.
- Toulouse host the Sharks on Sunday at Stade Ernest Wallon, completing a round of French tests for South Africa’s Champions Cup entrants.
- Defending Cape Town SVNS champions the Blitzboks confirmed Nabo Sokoyi replaces Mfundo Ndhlovu for a Pool A featuring Fiji, New Zealand and Great Britain, with team leaders stressing the new format leaves little margin for error.