The Stormers, Lions and Vodacom Bulls will all cross swords with heavyweight French opposition in the pool stage of the 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup.
South Africa’s three representatives in rugby’s premier club competition, which kicks off on the weekend of 16-18 October, learned their fate during the draw in Dublin on Wednesday.
The Lions, set to make their maiden appearance in the tournament, find themselves in Pool 2 and will face six-time champions Toulouse, two-time winners La Rochelle, Saracens and the Exeter Chiefs.
It’s a daunting introduction for the Johannesburg-based side, while the Stormers and Bulls have both made their mark since the South African clubs first competed in 2022-23, with both teams reaching the knockout stage.
The Stormers won’t have it any easier in Pool 3, drawn against defending and back-to-back champions Bordeaux Bègles, Racing 92, the Bristol Bears and Gloucester.
The Bulls, meanwhile, land in Pool 4 and will meet Montpellier, Stade Français, the Northampton Saints and Bath.
Elsewhere, Leinster headline Pool 1 alongside the Glasgow Warriors, Pau, Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers and Clermont Auvergne.
The tournament build-up continues with fixture schedules – including dates, venues and kick-off times – to be confirmed later this month.
The action culminates at Lyon’s OL Stadium, which hosts both the EPCR Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals on 21 and 22 May 2027.
Investec Champions Cup pools
(Teams do not play team from same league in pool)
Pool 1: Leinster, Glasgow Warriors, Pau, Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, Clermont Auvergne
Pool 2: Toulouse, Lions, Saracens, La Rochelle, Exeter Chiefs, Connacht
Pool 3: Bordeaux Bègles, Stormers, Racing 92, Munster, Bristol Bears, Gloucester
Pool 4: Northampton Saints, Bath, Cardiff, Montpellier, Stade Français, Bulls
ALSO: Sharks, Cheetahs avoid Toulon in Challenge Cup draw
Investec Champions Cup 2026-27 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: Saturday, 22 May 2027
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
