The Sharks and Cheetahs both face daunting French trips in the opening round of the 2026-27 EPCR Challenge Cup.
The EPCR confirmed the fixtures for next season on Friday, with the competition kicking off on 16 October.
The Sharks, winners of the tournament in 2024, travel to Lyon to face the 2021-22 champions in Pool 2 on 17 October in one of the standout opening-round fixtures.
Lyon will have extra motivation this season, with the Challenge Cup final set to be played in their home city. The French club will also face Benetton, Scarlets and Newcastle Red Bulls during the pool stage.
The Cheetahs have been drawn in a formidable pool 1 alongside Ulster, Bayonne, Perpignan, Dragons and Zebre.
The Free Staters will open their campaign away to Bayonne on 18 October before hosting the Dragons in round two.
They then travel to Zebre in round three before ending their pool campaign with a home clash against Perpignan.
Elsewhere, the Dragons launch the tournament against Perpignan at Rodney Parade on the opening night, while Edinburgh host Toulon in another marquee round-one encounter.
Last season’s finalists Ulster begin their campaign away to Zebre before facing Bayonne, Perpignan and the Dragons as they bid to go one step further this season.
SA EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures
Cheetahs
vs Bayonne, Sunday, 18 October, Bayonne, 2pm
vs Dragons, Sunday, 13 December, venue TBC, 4:15pm
vs Zebre Parma, Sunday, 10 January, Parma, 6:30pm
vs Perpignan, Sunday, 17 January, venue TBC, 4:15pm
Sharks
vs Lyon, Saturday, 17 October, Lyon, 2pm
vs Scarlets, Saturday, 12 December, Durban, 7:30pm
vs Castres, Saturday, 9 January, Durban, 3pm
vs Benetton, Saturday, 16 January, Treviso, 7:30pm
FULL EPCR CHALLENGE CUP FIXTURES HERE
2026-27 EPCR Challenge Cup pools
Pool 1: Cheetahs, Ulster, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonne, Zebre
Pool 2: Benetton, Lyon, Newcastle Red Bulls, Sharks, Castres, Scarlets
Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon, Vannes
EPCR Challenge Cup match weekends
Round 1: 16, 17, 18 October 2026
Round 2: 11, 12, 13 December 2026
Round 3: 8, 9, 10 January 2027
Round 4: 15, 16, 17 January 2027
Round of 16: 2, 3, 4 April 2027
Quarter-finals: 9, 10, 11 April 2027
Semi-finals: 30 April, 1, 2 May 2027
Final: Friday 21 May 2027
Photo: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
