The South African conference, which consists of the Sharks, Bulls, Jaguares, Lions and Stormers, get the tournament started with two matches before the remaining sides play their first matches next weekend.

This Saturday the Stormers get their campaign underway against the Jaguares at Newlands with kick-off at 15:05 while the Sharks travel to Ellis Park to face the Lions in their opening encounter of the competition.

The 2018 edition of the competition will be without the likes of the Toyota Cheetahs, the Kings, as well as Australia's Western Force, after governing body SANZAAR took the decision to reduce the number of teams in the competition from 18 to 15 teams, as was the case between 2011 and 2015.

Pundits are of the opinion that  this reduction in teams, could provide for a more competitive competition.

The true impact thereof, however, remains to be seen.