For the past half-decade, the top-tier European club competition has largely been dominated by teams hailing from France, though the South African participants are focused on disrupting that trend.
There are relatively few accolades and achievements that have eluded teams from the ‘rainbow nation’ in the sport of rugby, yet success in this particular tournament has been challenging to come by, and this is occasionally referenced critically; however, prevailing conditions suggest a shift this year.
While several South African clubs have progressed to the quarter-final stage across the previous three seasons, none have advanced beyond this point; last year saw a particularly disappointing showing, with the Sharks, Bulls, and Stormers all being eliminated prior to the Round of 16.
Nevertheless, it is tenable to suggest that the current iteration of the Springboks represents the pinnacle of achievement within rugby, certainly representing South Africa’s strongest-ever squad, having won 12 out of 14 Test matches in 2025, marking their second-most successful year statistically.
The Sharks’ roster boasts numerous high-profile players, including Siya Kolisi, Ox Nché, Eben Etzebeth (pending suspension resolution), Grant Williams, André Esterhuizen, and the Hendrikse brothers, while the Bulls have appeared in three of the last four URC finals; however, the Stormers appear to be best-positioned to challenge the dominance of French teams.
Their performance this season has been impressive, securing six victories from six matches thus far, with four of these achieved away from home, indicating a significant threat to all competitors in the Champions Cup, provided Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse can maintain their international-level form.
The aforementioned pair have been pivotal in expanding South Africa’s strategic approach to the game and have contributed to the Boks matching their highest-ever total of tries scored in a single calendar year, with 81 in 2025.
If players such as Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Ben-Jason Dixon, and Evan Roos can secure advantageous ball possession, the Stormers will present a formidable challenge to teams like Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Toulon; nonetheless, a strong initial performance is imperative, as home advantage is likely to be a deciding factor in the knockout stages.
Travel considerations remain substantial, but achieving victory away from home in the later stages of the Champions Cup is notably difficult, especially when playing in France; thus, securing a second-place finish, or ideally topping Pool 3, is crucial for ensuring major matches are played in Cape Town.
It is plausible to foresee them winning away against Quins, alongside securing home victories against La Rochelle and Leicester; consequently, their most demanding challenge is likely to be their initial match against Bayonne at the Stade Jean-Dauger.
The pools appear to be relatively balanced, which positively reflects the competitiveness of the competition and its organizational structure; however, French teams are anticipated to be favored to top the other three pools.
Bordeaux currently hold the title of reigning champions, while Toulouse and Toulon are closely contesting the top positions in the Top 14 standings and previously competed against each other in the Champions Cup quarter-final last season.
The return of Antoine Dupont enhances the prospects of the most decorated team in European rugby history, though their extensive squad depth is arguably what renders them particularly imposing, distinguishing the leading teams from the remainder.
All teams will inevitably grapple with injuries, particularly given the condensed Six Nations schedule preceding the knockout stages; however, some teams can substitute international-caliber players when frontline players are unavailable.
Leinster is typically mentioned in this context; however, the depth within Irish rugby does not appear as robust as in previous years; furthermore, it is not certain whether Rieko Ioane is the definitive solution, and considerable changes have occurred since their last trophy win in 2018.
To be clear, their performance is expected to improve with the return of international players, positioning them as strong contenders; nevertheless, their victories this season have been limited to matches against Zebre, Dragons, and Sharks, with Munster currently appearing as the foremost Irish province.
Munster is expected to once again qualify for the knockout stages, yet they will need to replicate the exceptional away form that secured their URC title in 2022/23 if they aspire to win, given they face away matches against The Rec and Stade Mayol in the pool stages alone.
Furthermore, should a South African team not end the French teams’ dominance in the Champions Cup, it is plausible that a South African head coach could achieve this, as Bath currently tops the Prem table after winning the trophy in June.
Johann van Graan’s team did not progress beyond the Champions Cup pool stages last season; however, he now has an even deeper squad to utilize, with Santi Carreras and Henry Arundell specifically contributing new elements to their play.
They are scheduled to face challenging opening rounds against Munster and Toulon, but they possess the necessary power and pace to defeat any opponent on their day, with Finn Russell orchestrating the plays; moreover, they will likely aim for the title after achieving success in the Prem.
Overall, the competition appears more balanced this year, and France is expected to have the highest number of teams in the quarter-finals; however, it is plausible that a team from outside the Top 14 will have their name engraved on the trophy in Bilbao at the end of May.
In fact, it is conceivable that this year will only be the second time in the Champions Cup era, stretching back a decade, that the final does not feature any French teams, with a hypothetical final contested between the Stormers and Bath at the San Mames.
Conventional wisdom would suggest that Bordeaux, Toulouse, or La Rochelle, who have collectively won the last five titles, will lift the trophy; nonetheless, South Africa currently dominates the rugby world, and it may be the Stormers’ and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s moment to shine.
