Challenge Cup: How SA sides can qualify for knockouts

One South African franchise has already qualified for the next stage of the Challenge Cup, and two could join them to see some strong representation as the tournament moves towards the knockout stages.

With four teams to drop down from the Investec Challenge Cup, 12 teams in total will qualify from the Challenge Cup for the Round of 16 and there is every chance South African franchises could make up a healthy part of that dozen.

So this is what each team needs to do to qualify this coming weekend in each of the three pools.

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CHALLENGE CUP PERMUTATIONS FOR SA TEAMS

Pool 1

The Sharks and Cheetahs are both in this pool and both have a good chance of qualifying as they sit first and second in the pool at the moment.

For all their troubles, the Sharks need just one point to qualify and grab a home game in the Round of 16. Their trip to face the Dragons in Wales is a tough one, with the Dragons needing a win to qualify and if the Sharks are victorious it will end the Welsh side’s campaign.

Only Oyannax, who host the Cheetahs, are out of the running right now and while an away game will be tough on the Bloemfontein side, they know they need to get points out of it if they are to ensure qualification as well.

While they sit on nine points, Italian side Zebre Parma are on eight and Section Paloise – or Pau – are on seven points.  Zebre and Pau face off in a straight shootout at Stade du Hameau on Saturday night to see who qualifies. The loser will have be at the mercy of results from the Cheetahs and Sharks away games to see who makes up the other qualifier.

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Pool 2 

With Newcastle Falcons and Perpignan experiencing a blowout season and only one log point between them, the top four in Pool 2 have already qualified. That means Montpellier, Benetton, Ospreys and the Lions are all already through to the next round and this weekend’s fixtures will determine who gets a home tie and who has to travel.

Benetton host Montpellier on Saturday and the winner of the match is likely to secure a home fixture in the next round, while a lopsided result could open the door for the Lions, should they record a good win over Ospreys on Sunday.

Either way there will be permutations galore to study for the sides as they head into the final weekend of pool play.

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FIXTURES

Friday

Scarlets vs Edinburgh (Pool 3, 22.00)

Gloucester vs Castres Olympique (Pool 3, 22.00)

Saturday

Black Lions vs Clermont Auvergne (Pool 3, 15.00)

Section Paloise  vs Zebre Parma (Pool 1, 15.00)

Oyannax vs Toyota Cheetahs (Pool 1, 17.15)

Benetton vs Montpellier (Pool 2, 17.15)

Sunday

Perpignan vs Newcastle Falcons (Pool 2, 15.00)

Emirates Lions vs Ospreys (Pool 2, 15.00)

Dragons vs Hollywoodbets Sharks (Pool 1, 19.15)

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