The Vodacom Bulls and Stormers will have to overcome daunting odds if they are to progress to the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
The Bulls are in Scotland to face the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium, while the Stormers have travelled to the south of France to take on Toulon at the Stade Mayol.
In the previous two seasons across 16 last-16 knockout fixtures, there have been only two wins by away teams – and both only by a single point.
In the 2023-24 season, John Dobson’s men were beaten 22-21 by La Rochelle at Cape Town Stadium in a last-16 thriller.
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Last season, it was the turn of La Rochelle to experience heartbreak as Irish giants Munster triumphed 25-24 at Stade Marcel Deflandre.
Glasgow, under the coaching reins of former Springbok flyhalf Franco Smith, went unbeaten through the Champions Cup pool stage and also top the Vodacom URC standings.
The Scottish outfit are heavy favourites going into the clash, having won 11 successive home matches. However, their last defeat at Scotstoun Stadium came against the Bulls in April last year.
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Bulls coach Johan Ackermann refused to dwell on the past this week, saying: “We can only control what’s ahead of us – and that is Glasgow. That’s the challenge.”
The Stormers face no less daunting a task against Toulon who pose a formidable hurdle despite lying a lowly 11th on the French Top 14 table.
HABANA: French rugby culture unlike anything else
Former Springbok wing Bryan Habana has spoken of the intensity and passion of French rugby, having won two European titles with Toulon as part of a star-studded line-up.
No South African team has yet ever made it past the Champions Cup quarter-finals, but that journey begins in the round of 16 on Saturday.
PLAY: Investec Champions Cup game centre
Investec Champions Cup round of 16 (SA times)
Friday, 3 April
Northampton Saints vs Castres (9pm)
Saturday, 4 April
Bath vs Saracens (4pm)
Toulon vs Stormers (4pm)
Glasgow Warriors vs Bulls (6:30pm)
Toulouse vs Bristol Bears (6:30pm)
Harlequins vs Sale Sharks (9pm)
Sunday, 5 April
Bordeaux Bègles vs Leicester Tigers (4pm)
Leinster vs Edinburgh (6:30pm)
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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