Forecasts for European Challenge Cup - Initial Round
The Cheetahs and Lions are prepared to roar in the European Challenge Cup this weekend, according to Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Eighteen clubs kick off the competition with eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship, six from the TOP 14, two from the Premiership, and two invited teams – the Cheetahs and Georgia's Black Lion.
The teams have been divided into three pools of six, with two TOP 14 clubs in each. Clubs from the same URC Shield and the Premiership, as well as the two invitees, have been kept apart. Each club plays four different opponents home or away, with same-league matches kept to a minimum and only impacting clubs from the URC.
The top four teams from each pool advance to the knockout stage, where they will be joined by the clubs who finished fifth in their respective European Champions Cup pools.
Both South African sides are in action on Sunday. The Cheetahs face off against French club Perpignan in Amsterdam before the Lions square off against Welsh side the Ospreys in Swansea.
Dragons v Montpellier
Prediction: Montpellier by 7
Gloucester v Edinburgh
Prediction: Gloucester by 12
Bayonne v Scarlets
Prediction: Bayonne by 10
Black Lion v Vannes
This is a tough one to pick, but given Black Lion has some national stars and home-ground advantage, I'm leaning towards them.
Lyon v Cardiff
Prediction: Cardiff by 2
Connacht v Zebre
Prediction: Connacht by 18
Pau v Newcastle Falcons
Prediction: Newcastle Falcons by 4
Cheetahs v Perpignan
Perpignan has struggled in the TOP 14, while the Cheetahs, though lacking quality preparation, should be able to take advantage of the French team's weaknesses to secure a win.
Ospreys v Lions
Prediction: Lions by 2
Quintin van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. He boasts over 15 years of experience as a sports writer, currently working as a freelancer.
The Cheetahs, despite their inconsistent preparation, are expected to capitalize on Perpignan's TOP 14 struggles, securing a win in their European Challenge Cup fixture.
The Lions, on the other hand, might leverage their home-ground advantage and national stars to edge out the Ospreys in their contest.
The European Challenge Cup, consisting of 18 clubs, features six TOP 14 clubs, six Premiership clubs, two invited teams – the Cheetahs and Georgia's Black Lion – and eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship.
Clubs have been divided into three pools of six, with each club playing four different opponents home or away, and the top four teams from each pool advancing to the knockout stage.
The competition kicks off this weekend, as the Cheetahs face off against Perpignan, while the Lions square off against the Ospreys.
