Champions Cup round of 16: SA sides’ match-ups

The Champions Cup is back after just over two months as the round of 16 throws up a series of mouth-watering encounters involving South African teams.

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The tension has been building ever since the conclusion of the pool stage and EPCR’s elite competition now moves into the ever-thrilling knockout stage.

By the end of April, we will know which two teams will be going head-to-head in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 20.

Champions Cup: South African sides’ playoff games

Sharks host Munster in potentially north-vs-south classic

On Saturday, Champions Cup knockout stage rugby heads to South Africa for the first time as Sharks welcome Munster Rugby to Durban in a blockbuster encounter at 12:30.

The hosts’ EPCR Player of the Year-nominated flanker Siya Kolisi up against Munster counterpart Peter O’Mahony is poised to be an enthralling battle – they are just two of a plethora of South Africa and Ireland internationals set to grace Kings Park.

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Stormers welcome Harlequins for enticing encounter

Another intriguing contest takes place in Cape Town at 15:00 as Stormers entertain Harlequins at Stadium, opposing flyhalves Manie Libbok and Marcus Smith are likely to be key to their respective sides’ quarter-final hopes.

Bulls face tough task on the road in France

The drama will continue on Sunday when Stade Toulousain and Bulls provide another gargantuan fixture at 15:00, with the South African debutants looking to bounce back from their Round 4 struggles in France.

Five-time champions Toulouse are led by EPCR Player of the Year nominee Julien Marchand, but Vodacom Bulls also have vast experience at hooker in Bismarck du Plessis.

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All the round of 16 fixtures, dates and kick-off times