The Stormers open their 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup campaign against Bristol Bears at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
The teams have been drawn in Pool 3 alongside Union Bordeaux Bègles, Munster, Gloucester and Racing 92, making a strong home start particularly important in the battle for qualification.
Stormers v Bristol Bears, Saturday 17th October, DHL Stadium, Cape Town, kick-off 16:15 SAST
Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France), Flavien Hourquet (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Weather Forecast – Cape Town
Stormers
The Stormers have won two of their opening three matches in the United Rugby Championship and head into Europe after an impressive home victory.
They began with a 29-15 bonus-point win away to Connacht before going down 17-13 against Edinburgh in Scotland.
The Cape Town side returned home in Round 3 and beat the Sharks 39-22, scoring five tries and pulling clear in the second half.
That result left the Stormers fourth on the URC table with 11 points from their opening three matches.
The Stormers are priced at 33/1 to win the Champions Cup.
Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears won their opening two Premiership matches before suffering their first defeat of the season away to Saracens.
They began with a 34-24 victory at Sale Sharks before beating defending champions Northampton Saints 41-26 at Ashton Gate.
Their unbeaten start ended at StoneX Stadium, where Saracens restricted them to a single try in a 30-7 defeat. Bristol had rotated their side with the trip to Cape Town and their Champions Cup opener against the Stormers in mind.
Bristol are priced at 124/1 to win the Champions Cup.
Head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the Stormers and Bristol Bears.
Team news
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Riley Norton, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Warrick Gelant
Bristol Bears: Team to follow.
The Betting
Updated Oct 15 20h35
Stormers -20.5
Bristol Bears +20.5
Betting angle
Bet to follow.
All our Champions Cup bets will be posted in the Round 1 betting blog.
See what other punters fancy and have your say in the Goodforthegame Rugby Forum thread.
Disclaimer: Odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. No bet is guaranteed to win. Please only bet what you can afford to lose.
