Friday afternoon South African time, or early Saturday morning in Australia and New Zealand, signals the start of the South African conference.
And after a lack-lustre performance by a majority of the teams in the South African conference, no doubt the boys from Africa will come out firing to prove they’re not the easy-beats as many labelled them 2014.
Lions V Hurricanes
Despite being perennial cellar-dwellers, the Lions finished last season with three straight wins, not to mention coming second in the 2014 Currie Cup. Yet even if they finally get things clicking in 2015, you just never know what Hurricanes outfit will show up in South Africa.
One of Super Rugby’s most unpredictable teams, the Hurricanes will have to do it without All Blacks Ma’a Nonu (birth of child) and Jeremy Thrush (calf).
The Lions, having only completed their 2015 squad last week is an unknown quantity themselves, and playing at home, are tough to beat.
Prediction
Without a game being played in anger, it’s hard to determine exactly how each team will go in their first match. The Lions’ defence will have to be at their best with the counter attacking capability of the Hurricanes back three.
A strong kick-chase game, coupled with the goal kicking boot of Marnitz Boshoff is the Lions best chance to win. However, I feel the Hurricanes have too much strike power. Hurricanes by 6.
LIONS: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Courtnall Skosan, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronjé, Warren Whiteley (Capt), Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Schalk van der Merwe.
Reserves: Armand van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Robert Kruger, Warwick Tecklenburg, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Stokkies Hanekom.
HURRICANES: Jason Woodward, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (Capt), Rey Le-Lo, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Mark Abbott, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dan Coles, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Reggie Goodes, Chris Eves, Callum Gibbins, Victor Vito, Chris Smylie, James Marshall, Matt Proctor.
Blues V Chiefs
Sonny Bill Williams is back in the Chiefs’ line-up but a host of All Blacks are being rested with the World Cup in mind.
Keven Mealamu and Patrick Tuipulotu won’t run out for the Blues while Brodie Retallick, Aaron Cruden and Liam Messam are absent for the Chiefs.
Champion All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock returns from shoulder surgery to play his first Super Rugby match in eight months, while Luke Braid makes his shoulder injury comeback from the bench.
The Blues might have a solid success rate against fellow Kiwi teams at home, but the Chiefs boast a more respectable outfit – having made the finals in their three previous seasons.
Prediction
Even though the match is being played at QBE Stadium, the Chiefs are fielding a far more respectable line-up, including the massive ‘in’ of SBW, who will most likely take a lot of attention of the inexperienced Chief’s halves pairing, allowing him to play with more freedom.
The Blues are playing far from their strongest XV, resting many. Due to this fact, I find it hard to go past the Chefs. Chiefs by 8.
BLUES: Lolagi Visinia, Charles Piutau, George Moala/Hamish Northcot, Francis Saili, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (Capt), Brendon O’Connor, Steven Luatua, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Angus Ta’avao, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. 
Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Akira Ioane, Luke Braid, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, Hamish Northcott/Ben Lam.
CHIEFS: Tom Marshall, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Sonny Bill Williams, James Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Cane, Johan Bardoul, Mike Fitzgerald, Matt Symons (Capt), Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu.
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Jamie Mackintosh, Siate Tokolahi, Michael Allardice, Tevita Koloamatangi, Augustine Pulu, Marty McKenzie, Bryce Heem.