This is a historic first in which the Stade Français will actively participate.
The Parisian club inherited in its European Challenge pool one of the five South African franchises aligned in the European Rugby Cups from next season.
Gonzalo Quesada's men will face twice the formation of Johannesburg, the Lions, as well as the Italians of Benetton to try to climb in the round of 16 of the competition.
Pau are the other Top 14 side to face representatives from that country, with a double clash against the Bloemfontein Cheetahs.
In the Champions Cup, the "big" European Cup, Racing 92 was not spoiled by the draw, carried out on Tuesday.
The Racingmen, unfortunate semi-finalists this season against La Rochelle, will try to get out of their group stage with double confrontations against the Irish of Leinster, and the English of Harlequins.
Sacred for the first time in its history, La Rochelle will play its place in the round of 16 against Ulster and the Northampton Saints.
Bordeaux-Bègles, Clermont and Lyon will go to South Africa with meetings against the Sharks, Stormers and Bulls respectively.
Beginning of matches in December
The first day of the European Cups is scheduled for the weekend of December 10-11, and the group stage will end on the weekend of January 21-22, for the round of 16 scheduled for the weekend of 1- April 2.
The finals of the two competitions will be played in Ireland, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on May 19 and 20, 2023.
As in the 2020-2021 season, two French clubs have dominated the European scene this year, with the victory of La Rochelle in the Champions Cup and Lyon in the European Challenge.
