To say the 2022-23 Champions Cup is proving a logistical challenge for some teams is the understatement of the season. If the presence of the Stormers and Sharks in the last eight at the first attempt is a positive for South African rugby, there really should be an additional box in the corner of the TV screen displaying their latest air miles tally.
Take the Stormers. This calendar year alone they have played away in Glasgow, London, Belfast and Dublin. Now, having seen off Harlequins in hot, humid conditions in Cape Town last Saturday, they are having to pack their bags again and head north to face Exeter this Saturday. Faced with a similar schedule, even Tom Cruise’s Maverick would be begging for more downtime in the Top Gun hangar.
