South Africa’s entry into the United Rugby Championship holds the prospect of South African teams being eligible to qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup from the 2022-23 season.

This news was confirmed when the new-look competition was officially unveiled on Tuesday, albeit subject to the finalisation of contract terms with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), which owns the competition.

A total of eight teams from the United Rugby Championship will qualify each season for the following season’s Heineken Champions Cup. The balance of teams will participate in the Challenge Cup.

Subject to the finalisation of contract terms with EPCR, South African teams will be eligible to qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup from the 2022-23 season if they have finished in the United Rugby Championship qualification places from the prior season.

All points won during the URC season will contribute to rankings in the regional pools and the highest-ranking team in each of the four pools will earn a place in the Heineken Champions Cup for the following season. This addition to the format is expected to add even greater intensity to these age-old local rivalries.

The remaining four places in the Heineken Champions Cup will be awarded to the four highest-ranked teams from the single-standing league table who have not already qualified through the four regional pools.