Sharks, Cheetahs travel for Challenge Cup openers

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. truewildslot.com

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.

Cheetahs fixtures (Pool 1)
Round 1: Bayonne (a)
Round 2: Dragons (h)
Round 3: Zebre (a)
Round 4: Perpignan (h)

Sharks fixtures (Pool 2)
Round 1: Lyon (a)
Round 2: Scarlets (h)
Round 3: Castres (h)
Round 4: Benetton (a)

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

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Championships aren’t won on talent alone. They’re built on trust, consistency, and a team that delivers when it matters most. The same principles have guided Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare for more than two decades.

Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare helps motorists travel safely and confidently by delivering the kind of dependable service people come back to, time and time again. That commitment has made Hi-Q one of the country’s most trusted automotive retail brands – and that trust has once again been recognised.

In the 2024/25 Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey, Hi-Q achieved an impressive second-place ranking in the highly competitive Tyre Retail Outlet category. The recognition reinforces what thousands of South Africans already know: when it comes to looking after their vehicles, Hi-Q is a name they can trust.

Like any great rugby side, trust isn’t built in a single season. It’s earned over time through consistency, preparation and delivering when it matters most. That’s exactly how Hi-Q has built its reputation with South African motorists.

The Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey is South Africa’s largest independent brand study, measuring consumer trust, loyalty and affinity across thousands of brands. Unlike awards judged by a panel, the results are driven by real consumer perceptions, making this recognition especially meaningful. It reflects years of consistently delivering expert workmanship, honest advice and exceptional customer service.

Hi-Q has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of today’s motorists. Customers can choose from an extensive range of tyres from leading manufacturers, while also benefiting from a comprehensive range of automotive products and services designed to keep them moving safely and confidently.

Today, Hi-Q offers customers:

• Tyres from leading brands including Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental, Bridgestone and CEAT
• Wheel alignment and balancing
• Batteries
• Brakes and shocks
• Minor Vehicle Services at participating stores

Everything is delivered by professionally trained technicians who understand that keeping your vehicle performing at its best isn’t just about performance – it’s about safety, reliability and confidence every time you get behind the wheel.

Behind every Hi-Q store is a team of highly trained professionals who understand that trust isn’t built through advertising, but earned through every interaction, every recommendation and every completed job.

That customer-first approach has become a defining characteristic of the brand, helping generations of South Africans return to Hi-Q whenever their vehicles need attention.

Recognition in the Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey belongs to every franchisee, store manager and technician who delivers on the Hi-Q promise each day. Their dedication ensures that customers receive knowledgeable advice, quality workmanship and transparent service they can rely on, every time they visit a Hi-Q store.

As South African motorists continue to seek convenience, value and confidence from their automotive service providers, Hi-Q remains committed to evolving alongside their needs. By combining trusted expertise with an expanding range of automotive solutions, the brand continues to deliver on its promise of being The One You Can Trust.

Whether you’re heading to the stadium, tackling the school run or setting off on a cross-country road trip, your journey deserves the same reliability you’d expect from any great team. That’s why South Africans continue to choose Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare.

Find your nearest Hi-Q store or request a quote online at hiq.co.za, and experience the trusted service that has kept South Africans moving for more than 20 years.

The post Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare: The One You Can Trust appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Scrumhalf Morné van den Berg looks to be making great strides in rehabilitation from bicep surgery during Lions pre-season training.

ICYMI: Eben in a race to face All Blacks

Pre-season Fun In The Sun.#ForOurCity #LionsPride pic.twitter.com/BmdBcEd9xT

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 10, 2026

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

The post Watch: Crocked Bok put to work with Lions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

L’Angleterre pourrait être privée d’un élément clé de sa défense à l’approche de son quart de finale de la Coupe du Monde 2026 face à la Norvège. Marc Guehi est en effet très incertain pour cette rencontre décisive après avoir contracté une élongation aux ischio-jambiers.

Selon les informations communiquées par la presse anglaise, Marc Guehi s’est blessé lors de la victoire des Three Lions contre le Mexique en huitièmes de finale. Bien qu’il ait contribué à la qualification de son équipe, cette blessure remet sérieusement en question sa participation au prochain match. Le staff médical anglais suit de près l’évolution de son état physique et évaluera sa condition jusqu’au dernier moment avant de prendre une décision. Toutefois, les premiers échos laissent penser que sa présence face à la Norvège reste fortement compromise.

Une éventuelle absence de Marc Guehi représenterait un véritable coup dur pour le sélectionneur anglais, tant le défenseur s’est imposé comme un pilier de l’arrière-garde depuis le début du tournoi. Face à une équipe norvégienne portée par une attaque redoutable, l’Angleterre pourrait devoir revoir son organisation défensive.

Le quart de finale entre la Norvège et l’Angleterre s’annonce comme l’un des chocs de cette Coupe du Monde 2026, avec une place en demi-finale en jeu.

The post Coupe du Monde 2026 : Marc Guehi incertain pour le quart de finale Angleterre – Norvège appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Hugo Broos has confirmed that he will step down as Bafana Bafana head coach, bringing an end to one of the most successful coaching spells in the national team’s history.

The announcement came during an interview with Belgian publication voetbalnieuws.be.

The 74-year-old Belgian leaves as the longest-serving head coach of Bafana Bafana, having taken charge in June 2021.

Broos says decision is final

“Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible! If they need me for something else, perhaps in scouting, that is something else. But football is no longer going to be a part of my life 24 hours a day,” Broos told voetbalnieuws.be.

“I have already had a conversation with the chairman of the South African ‌Football ⁠Association. He would like to keep me, but in a different role, as an advisor or something like that. I will return at the end of July to say a final farewell. I am curious to see what he will ⁠propose to me.”

A successful Bafana Bafana tenure

During his five-year tenure, Broos transformed Bafana Bafana into a competitive force on the continental and global stage.

Under his guidance, South Africa qualified for two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and secured a bronze medal at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast.

Broos also guided Bafana Bafana to a historic milestone by leading the team to the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

SAFA must find a new coach

His departure leaves the South African Football Association with the task of appointing a new head coach ahead of the upcoming AFCON qualifying campaign.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has previously voiced his support for former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane as his preferred candidate to succeed Broos.

End of an era

Broos leaves behind a Bafana Bafana side that rediscovered belief, structure and competitiveness during his time in charge.

While his coaching chapter with the national team is ending, the possibility remains that SAFA could keep him involved in a different role.

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