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London - English Premiership champions Saracens will make Heineken Cup history after announcing on Wednesday that they will play their home pool stage clash against Biarritz in Cape Town.
European Rugby Cup and the International Rugby Board have approved the ground-breaking application from Saracens, which will see South Africa become the 10th country to stage a match in the elite competition and the first outside Europe.
The fixture is scheduled for January 14, 2012 and Saracens chairperson Nigel Wray told the club's website: "The world is becoming increasingly smaller and well connected, and, as a club, we are committed to thinking big and creating major events that people want to watch.
"We look forward to proceeding with these exciting plans, expanding the footprint and commercial value of European rugby."
While Saracens have yet to reveal which ground the match will be played at, the venue is likely to be either Newlands rugby stadium or the Cape Town Stadium.
Saracens already have strong links with the country, with 13 South African-born players in their squad and South Africa captain John Smit set to join following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The club's chief executive Ed Griffiths has worked for the South African Rugby Union, while Saracens' technical advisor Brendan Venter was a Springbok international.
