Bumper April Fool's day: European Champions and Challenge Cup round of 16 fixtures confirmed

The European Professional Rugby Clubs (EPCR) on Thursday confirmed the dates and times of the Champions and Challenge Cup round of 16 fixtures, in which all five South African franchises will participate.

The Sharks take on Irish club Munster on April Fool's Day (Saturday 1 April) in the Champions Cup playoffs at Kings Park but the match will be no joke for Neil Powell's side, who are targeting this competition for silverware.

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The Stormers host English Premiership outfit Harlequins at Cape Town Stadium on the same day.

The Bulls have to negotiate a tricky trip to Toulouse to face Cheslin Kolbe's former side Stade Toulousain on Sunday 2 April at Le Stadium.

The intriguing part of the Champions Cup draw is that it presents an opportunity for the Sharks and the Bulls to meet in the quarter-finals, as they did in last year's United Rugby Championship, which the Bulls won thanks to Chris Smith's late drop-goal.

The Stormers are on the opposite end of the draw, meaning they can only meet a fellow South African side in the final. But they could meet reigning champions La Rochelle in the next round.

In the Challenge Cup, the Lions host Springbok captain Siya Kolisi's next club Racing 92 at Ellis Park on 1 April. Earlier that day, the Cheetahs face Kolbe's current side Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol.

Champions Cup fixtures (SA times):

Friday 31 March

Leicester Tigers v Edinburgh (22:00)

Saturday 1 April

Sharks v Munster (13:30)

Stormers v Harlequins (16:00)

Leinster v Ulster (19:30)

Stade Rochelais v Gloucester (19:30)

Sunday 2 April

Exeter Chiefs v Montpellier Hérault (14:30)

Saracens v Ospreys (17:00)

Stade Toulousain v Bulls (17:00)

Challenge Cup fixtures (SA times):

Friday 31