Exeter Chiefs' trip to South Africa confirmed as 2022/23 Champions Cup schedule is revealed

Exeter Chiefs’ longest away day of the season has been confirmed with the Devon side traveling to South Africa on the second weekend of January to play the Bulls in the European Champions Cup.

Rob Baxter’s men will kick off their campaign away in France against Castres in December before welcoming the Bulls to Sandy Park a week later.

The 2022/23 season will be the first time South African sides have competed in the ‘European’ competition but there is no doubting the Bull’s credentials as serious contenders for the title having reached the final of the United Rugby Championship in their debut season in 2021/22, beating Leinster in Ireland in the semi-finals.

Exe will travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls after Christmas before concluding with a home game against Castres.

At this stage, EPCR has only confirmed fixtures by round with exact dates, kick-off times and TV coverage to be announced as soon as possible following the conclusion of negotiations with broadcasters for the new cycle across each market.

Round One - Castres Olympique (A) - Stade Pierre Fabre - 9/10/11 December 2022

Round Two - Bulls (H) - Sandy Park - 16/17/18 December 2022

Round Three - Bulls (A) - Loftus Versfeld - 13/14/15 January 2023

Round Four - Castres Olympique (H) - Sandy Park - 20/21/22 January 2023

Round of 16 – 31 March - 1/2 April 2023

Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April 2023

Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April 2023

EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 19 May 2023; Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 20 May 2023; Aviva Stadium, Dublin