Three South African rugby teams, the Bulls, Lions and Stormers, will start their European Champions Cup campaigns this weekend, IOL Sport reported.
The Sharks will also play in Europe. They open their Challenge Cup campaign away to Lyon after losing the URC coastal derby to the Stormers.
Sharks head coach JP Pietersen said his team would have to look at themselves to turn things around in Europe.
“We won’t get too emotional and say we were terrible and bad. There were some positive things, but as a coach you always tend to see the negative things,” Pietersen said.
“But we will have to look deeper on what we can improve. There are some good things we can look at. We must just stay in the present,” he added.
Pietersen is expected to make changes to his team. Lock Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Vusi Moyo both left the field in the first half against the Stormers. There is now an injury doubt over both players.
The Bulls will host Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. They go into the match after a big win over the Lions in the Jukskei derby.
Head coach Johan Ackermann has picked 14 Springboks in his 42-man squad for the Champions Cup. This gives the Bulls a lot of international experience.
Luan Giliomee, a 20-year-old who has moved from the Sharks to the Bulls, could make his debut for the Pretoria side. He can play at flyhalf and at fullback.
IOL Sport reported that Stade Français will offer a different test. The Bulls will need the same intensity and finishing they showed against the Lions.
The Lions face a tough start to their first Champions Cup campaign. They travel to France to play La Rochelle, who have won the European title twice.
La Rochelle are known as hard opponents at home. The Lions will also need to recover from their heavy loss to the Bulls.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a 30-man squad for their next three away matches. The game in La Rochelle is the first of these.
Utility backs Erich Cronje and Bronson Mills are in the travelling squad after coming back from injury. The Lions will also rely on their Springbok players for experience.
In Cape Town, the Stormers will host Bristol Bears on Saturday afternoon. Director of rugby John Dobson has hinted that he will make some changes to his team for the opener.
According to IOL Sport, the Stormers have learnt in the past that making too many changes can cost them. They will try to rest some players while keeping the team settled.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.