Former Scotland captain John Barclay believes a South African team like the Stormers could go deep in this season’s Investec Champions Cup.

The competition kicks off on Friday night with a match between Bayonne and the Stormers at Stade Jean-Dauger.

The Vodacom Bulls host defending champions Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus on Saturday and the Sharks take on six-time winners Toulouse at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday.

ALSO: Stormers target Champions Cup semis

“The teams with depth will be hard to stop, particularly the South African teams,” said Barclay. “The Stormers have so many Springboks.

“Bath have strong depth too, and Toulouse are flying. I quite fancy Bath or Saracens to pair up with Toulouse in the final stages.”

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Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio says the Champions Cup is a brutal and unique challenge.

“To go away from home to these big European stadiums with such big history and win is the unique challenge in this competition. It’s a real test of everything about you as a player.”

Assessing the key contenders, he said: “In the Top 14 you can’t look much further than Toulouse and Bordeaux. Munster have their mojo back, and in the Premiership you look at Saints and Saracens. And who says you can’t get your name on the trophy for the first time? We saw it with Bordeaux last year. Watch Bayonne – they’ve got a great squad.”

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Another ex-England captain, Chris Robshaw, reflected on the competition’s special appeal.

“When I was playing, to go abroad and face teams outside your league was very special. Some of the toughest away experiences are in the south of France, and Leinster is always a tough place to go. Those trips – and hopefully wins – become a huge part of club history.”

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Investec Champions Cup fixtures (Round 1, SA times)
Friday, 5 December
Bayonne vs Stormers, 10pm
Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors, 10pm
Saturday, 6 December
Saracens vs Clermont, 3pm
Bulls vs Bordeaux Begles, 5:15pm
La Rochelle vs Leicester Tigers, 7:30pm
Leinster vs Harlequins, 7:30pm
Scarlets vs Bristol Bears, 10pm
Bath vs Munster, 10pm
Sunday, 7 December
Pau vs Northampton Saints, 3pm
Toulouse vs Sharks, 5:15pm
Gloucester vs Castres, 5:15pm
Edinburgh vs Toulon, 7:30pm

Champions Cup fixtures

It’s the pinnacle of club rugby 🏉

The team who lifts the #InvestecChampionsCup trophy is the one who delivers under pressure and pulls out all the stops along the way. It’s time to reach for glory 🏆#RugbyDelivered pic.twitter.com/48SCxG7vHL

— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 1, 2025

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images