European Rugby will have fresh faces next season with five South African franchises set to play.
Tournament organisers have confirmed that three South African qualifiers from the United Rugby Championship will participate.
They are the Pretoria-based Bulls, the Sharks from Durban and Cape Town-based Stormers.
South Africa’s top teams ✅
World Class Players ✅
3 @URCOfficial quarter finalists ✅ #HeinekenChampionsCup ✅Welcome to @THESTORMERS, @BlueBullsRugby and @SharksRugby – we are so excited to welcome you to our competition 💪 pic.twitter.com/OAFmRmGz9B
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) June 2, 2022
As well as this, the Emirates Lions and the Toyota Cheetah's will contest the EPCR Challenge Cup
The widely expected move has been described as "a crucial step forward" by EPCR chairman Dominic McKay.
McKay said: "We are delighted to confirm that the South African clubs will be part of our expanded tournaments from the beginning of next season."
"The Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions will all bring hugely exciting southern hemisphere rugby, well-known world-class players and broad new audiences into our tournaments.
"This is a crucial step forward in bringing to life our vision of growing the game."
💥 BREAKING! Five SA franchises will contest the @ChampionsCup and the @ChallengeCup_ next season
🗣️ "We can’t wait to get involved as it will only further enhance the local game"
🔗 https://t.co/dsX1AKeTYM@BlueBullsRugby @LionsRugbyCo @CheetahsRugby @SharksRugby @THESTORMERS pic.twitter.com/IXPEJDWdzv— Springboks (@Springboks) June 2, 2022
SARU chief executive Jurie Roux added: "We would like to thank all stakeholders who have been involved in the negotiation process.
"Ever since we’ve made the decision to align with the northern hemisphere, our aim was to play in the EPCR competitions."
