Toyota Challenge goes full festival as three World Cup nations head to SA
The 2026 Toyota Challenge takes on a significantly expanded format this year, with Griquas and the Pumas joining the Cheetahs to face Black Lion (Georgia), Portugal and Romania 'A' — all three of whom are bound for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The first leg runs across three match days at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 5, 10 and 14, with three fixtures per day in a festival format. A second leg follows in Tbilisi, Georgia, in October.
It marks the first time Griquas and the Pumas have participated in the Toyota Challenge since the competition launched in 2021. SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer noted both sides' recent domestic credentials — Currie Cup and SA Cup titles — as reason to back their involvement.
The international dimension carries added edge: Georgia and Romania are drawn in the same 2027 World Cup pool as South Africa, while Portugal's visit to Bloemfontein echoes their sold-out Test appearance there against the Springboks in 2024.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander framed the tournament as a dual-purpose exercise, serving both the European nations' World Cup preparation and the development of future Springbok talent within the South African provincial system.
Georgian Rugby Union president Davit Katcharava described Black Lion's participation as a major success for Georgian rugby, pointing to the tournament's potential to grow into a more significant fixture on the international calendar.