SA Rugby
The Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers’ first foray into Europe has been confirmed.
The PRO14 Rainbow Cup will kick-off on the weekend of 24 April, with fixtures for the first three rounds now established.
Three weekends of derby action will be followed by cross-hemisphere fixtures where the existing Guinness PRO14 teams will face South Africa’s ‘Super’ teams for the very first time.
The schedule has been designed to limit travel where possible with the opening three rounds accounting for derby fixtures across Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
“This is exciting news for the four franchises that will move into Europe and I’m sure they will be eager to get the ball rolling in terms of preparing to face a whole new set of opponents,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.
The PRO14 Rainbow Cup will feature a total of six rounds (eight games per round) and will feature all teams ranked in a single log.
The top two teams will then play each other in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup Final on the 19th of June.
ROUND 1 – 24 April (SA fixtures only)
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions
DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks
ROUND 2 – 1 May (SA fixtures only)
DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls
Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions
ROUND 3 – 8 May (SA fixtures only)
Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks
Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers
ROUND 4: Weekend of 29 May
ROUND 5: Weekend of 5 June
ROUND 6: Weekend of 12 June
FINAL: Weekend of 19 June
Issued by SA Rugby
