The Vodacom United Rugby Championship log could see a big shake-up in the next few weeks as the Northern Hemisphere teams start heading south in six of the next seven rounds, which could give the South African sides exactly the boost they need to challenge for places in the top eight.
This round marks the first time teams from Europe will play in South Africa this season, and this is sure to spice up the competition further as the tournament reaches a climax. The Cell C Sharks and Scarlets will kick off the action in Durban at 19h10 tonight.
The Cell C Sharks, who are the top-ranked domestic team on the standings in the eighth position, will be hunting their third win in a row and their fourth win of the year when they host the Scarlets at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, and they will be mindful of the fact that they could jump further up the standings if they come away with a win.
The Scarlets, meanwhile, will look to build on their victory against the Glasgow Warriors, but this will be a completely different test for the Welsh side, especially in the humid Durban conditions.
Although Scarlets' head coach Dwayne Peel said they are prepared for the physical onslaught from the Cell C Sharks the host must be the favourites to "bully" and we should see the first win of hopefully a lot more this weekend.
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made just three changes to his team, with Jeremy Ward coming in for Lukhanyo Am at outside centre and although losing the captain is a big blow, it is offset by the leadership role handed to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
“It’s a huge boost having Siya as captain, although it doesn’t really change much because he’s been playing a leadership role since he arrived at The Sharks,” explained fellow Springbok Sbu Nkosi.
“He’s been very positive and very involved and I don’t think it will be a major shift for us because he’s been bringing that same energy all the time. The only thing that changes now is that he has the authority that comes with the title of captain.”
The other two changes come in the pack where Reniel Hugo replaces Ruben van Heerden in the second row and eighthmen Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Phepsi Buthelezi switch positions this week.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has made three changes to his starting line-up.
With wing Ryan Conbeer taking a knock on his shoulder last weekend, a fit-again Corey Baldwin comes in for his first Scarlets appearance since breaking his foot in pre-season. He joins Tom Rogers and Steff Evans in the back three.
Skipper Scott Williams and Johnny Williams are again named in midfield, while the two other changes to the side come at half-back.
Rhys Patchell picked up a calf issue in the second half of the victory over Glasgow so sits this one out. Sam Costelow comes in and he partners Dane Blacker. British & Irish Lion Gareth Davies has returned to Wales’ Six Nations squad after making an impressive try-scoring appearance against the Warriors.
There are three changes on the bench. Shaun Evans comes in for the injured Marc Jones as hooker cover, while 19-year-old Wales U20s scrum-half Archie Hughes will make his URC debut if he comes off the bench. Dan Jones also returns to the match-day 23.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “We have had a couple of good training days here. The boys have enjoyed their stay so far and are looking forward to a good occasion on Friday night.
“They are a star-studded team with a lot of Springbok internationals and physicality is something that’s taken for granted here – if you don’t turn up with good physicality you are going to be in trouble. Sharks also have pace out wide in abundance. Their back-three players are able to hurt you with speed.
“The starting point for us is to match physicality, then we have to limit opportunities for their outside backs because they are world stars who are dangerous. So we have to be clinical, disciplined and take our opportunities when they come.
“We are the first team from the north to travel down to play, it is a game everyone is looking forward to. I am sure the experience the guys will gain from this game will be huge moving forward.”
Weather: 26° with 11km/h NNE wind, mostly clear skies but 77% humidity.
Prediction: Cell C Sharks by 12.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Tito Bonilla, 23. Werner Kok.
Scarlets: 15. Tom Rogers, 14. Steff Evans, 13. Johnny Williams, 12. Scott Williams (c), 11. Corey Baldwin, 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Dane Blacker, 8. Sione Kalamafoni, 7. Dan Davis, 6. Blade Thomson, 5. Jac Price, 4. Sam Lousi, 3. Samson Lee, 2. Daf Hughes, 1. Steff Thomas. Replacements: 16. Shaun Evans, 17. Kemsley Mathias, 18. Harri O’Connor, 19. Aaron Shingler, 20. Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21. Archie Hughes, 22. Dan Jones, 23. Joe Roberts.