Bulls Face Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld in Final Champions Cup Match with Hopes of Securing a Spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup
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Bulls Face Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld in Final Champions Cup Match with Hopes of Securing a Spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup

As the final round of Champions Cup group stage matches approaches, 23 out of 24 teams are still in the race to advance to the knockout phase.

It’s the kind of dramatic finish that scriptwriters dream of, with top spots in every pool still up for grabs.

Yet, in this exciting final weekend of action, the Bulls find themselves as the only team already eliminated from the Champions Cup contention.

Bulls’ Challenging Path to the EPCR Challenge Cup

While their Champions Cup hopes are over, the Bulls still have a chance to qualify for the EPCR Challenge Cup if they can defeat Stade Français in their final Pool 3 match at Loftus Versfeld.

However, their road to qualification is anything but simple.

Not only do they need a win, but they also require a bonus point and a significant points differential to improve their standing.

Moreover, the Bulls will need to prevent Stade Français from earning a bonus point to have any chance of securing their spot in the Challenge Cup.

This is the only Champions Cup match taking place on South African soil this weekend, making it a pivotal fixture for both teams, even though the Bulls’ path to Champions Cup qualification has been cut off.

Stade Français Has More to Play For Than the Bulls

For the visitors from Paris, there is still plenty on the line.

Stade Français is fighting for the chance to overtake Castres, who are in fourth place and currently out of reach for the Bulls.

A win for Stade could see them leapfrog Castres and into a Champions Cup spot, making this game more crucial for them than for the Bulls.

Castres, who recently defeated the Bulls, will be looking to secure a spot in the Round of 16 with a win against Saracens. Regardless of the result in Pretoria, a Castres victory would guarantee their progression in the Champions Cup, adding more intensity to the final weekend of action.

What to Expect from the Bulls vs Stade Français

Although the stakes are high for Stade Français, the match promises to be a thrilling contest at Loftus Versfeld.

The Bulls, despite being out of the running for the Champions Cup, are always a formidable side on home turf.

Kickoff is at 15:00, and fans can expect a fiercely contested battle as both teams fight for their respective goals.

Match Details:

  • Match: Bulls vs Stade Français Paris
  • Date: Saturday, 18 January
  • Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
  • Kickoff: 15:00 (SA Time)
  • Referee: Adam Leal
  • TV: SuperSport

Champions Cup Standings: A Closer Look

With one round remaining, the Champions Cup standings in each pool are still in flux:

  • Pool 1: Bordeaux Begles (15), Toulouse (14), Leicester Tigers (11), Hollywoodbets Sharks (5), Ulster (0), Exeter Chiefs (0)
  • Pool 2: Leinster (13), La Rochelle (10), Bath (7), Benetton (7), Clermont-Auvergne (5), Bristol Bears (5)
  • Pool 3: Northampton Saints (11), Munster (10), Saracens (10), Castres (9), Stade Français (5), Vodacom Bulls (0)
  • Pool 4: Toulon (13), Glasgow Warriors (12), Harlequins (5), DHL Stormers (5), Sale Sharks (5), Racing 92 (4)

Cheetahs and Lions Keep Their Hopes Alive in Challenge Cup

While the Bulls are eliminated from Champions Cup contention, the Cheetahs and Lions are still battling for spots in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16.

The Cheetahs grabbed an important win with a late 22-18 victory over Zebre Parma in Amsterdam, securing their place in the fight for a top-four finish in their pool.

They currently sit in fifth place, tied with Perpignan, with one round remaining.

Unfortunately, the Lions’ hopes took a hit after a 28-5 defeat against Montpellier in France.

Despite the setback, they remain in fifth place in their pool, level on points with the fourth-placed Dragons.

Looking Ahead to the Final Round of Pool Matches

With one last round of pool play to go, both the Cheetahs and Lions will be hoping to secure victories and continue their European campaigns in the Challenge Cup.

The final results could have significant implications, not just for the South African teams, but for the European competition as a whole.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting conclusion to the group stages.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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