Vincent Koch

The 32-year-old South Africa prop, who played a key role in their 2019 World Cup triumph, is a two-time winner of the Heineken Champions Cup, having lifted the trophy with Saracens in 2017 and 2019.

That 2017 success came in his maiden EPCR season and he went on to make 26 appearances in the top-flight competition for the London club, scoring three tries, prior to three games and one try in the Challenge Cup last season. He then moved to Wasps.

Francois Hougaard

The highly experienced scrum-half arrived at Wasps in 2021 from Midlands rivals Worcester Warriors, where he spent five years after spells with South African sides Western Province and Bulls, with whom he won Super Rugby titles in 2009 and 2010.

The 34-year-old played 46 Tests for South Africa between 2009 and 2017 but has made only eight appearances in EPCR competitions so far in just over four years.

Nizaam Carr

Carr, who won five caps for the Springboks between 2014 and 2016, has been with Wasps on and off since 2017, first on a three-month loan from Stormers, before signing a full-time contract at the end of the 2017/18 season until 2020.

The 31-year-old back-row forward, who has made a total of 16 appearances in EPCR competitions, scoring three tries, then returned to South Africa to play for Bulls in 2020/21 before resigning for Wasps last term.

Burger Odendaal

Wasps have signed centre Burger Odendaal from South African side Lions ahead of the new season, with their attack coach John Mitchell having previously worked with him during his time with Bulls.

The 29-year-old - who captained Lions and Bulls in Super Rugby, the Currie Cup and the United Rugby Championship - also spent a season in Japan’s Top League in 2018/19 with Kubota Spears.

Amid the landmark expansion of EPCR tournaments to include South Africa sides for the first time, we are taking a look at the South African players dotted around other clubs in the EPCR Challenge Cup, starting with the contingent at Wasps.