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The South African franchises will have mixed results as they play European Cup knockout rugby for the first time, writes Nick Mallett.
It is a hugely exciting weekend for South African rugby with all five of our premier franchises - Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Cheetahs - in European last 16 knockout action.
Playing in the Champions and Challenge Cups against the best sides from all over Europe was always going to be one of the major benefits of a move to the northern hemisphere, and this weekend the stakes will be higher than ever.
Win, and you're in the quarter-finals. Lose, and you're out.
It is knockout rugby, and anything can happen on the day.
Here, we look at the five South African matches in a bit more detail.
Champions Cup last 16:
Sharks v Munster, Saturday 13:30
This is quite a difficult game to call because both sides came off disappointing performances last weekend - Munster losing to Glasgow and the Sharks putting in a tepid performance against Scarlets.
We thought having the Springboks back would make such a big difference for the Sharks, but it looked more like individuals trying to make things happen instead of it being a collective team effort. That's always been the question mark hovering over this Sharks side.
There is such a big difference when the Springboks are included, but how much time have they had to get into a good team focus?
The Sharks have never really found a pattern of playing that we can identify, and I think against Munster, the Springbok pack has to climb in and dominate. They have to get their money's worth out of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi because the Sharks have virtually placed the success or failure of their entire season on the Champions Cup.
I still feel that the three key decision-makers - Jaden Hendrikse, Curwin Bosch and Boeta Chamberlain - are inexperienced, so they struggle for direction. You need experience in those positions.
If their forwards dominate, then there is no reason why the Sharks will not win this. It's when the battle is more 50/50 that the likes of Bosch start making poor decisions, as was the case against Scarlets.
The Sharks are at home, they have placed a lot on this game, and this is a real opportunity to hammer Munster with a statement performance.
I think it will be quite close, though. Munster will hang in there for as long as they can, but if the Sharks play to their potential, the Irish visitors will not have enough to cause an upset.
Stormers v Harlequins, Saturday 16:00
This is going to be a fascinating game because both teams play a very attractive brand of rugby.
Harlequins have a solid front row with Wilco Louw a key member of their pack, and former Shark Stephan Lewies at lock to bulk them up. They have a decent pack of forwards, but that's not the strength of their game.
They are extremely good at phase play, and this all starts around halfbacks Danny Care and Marcus Smith. They play a fast-paced game with tap penalties and quick throw-ins from the lineout, and there is a lot of counter-attacking.
The Harlequins set-piece provides variety with a lot of direct running from Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen, who is powerful on the gain line and such a beast to stop, or using him as a dummy runner and skipping him to use the pace outside.
Harlequins are a threat in that their style of play is very similar to that of the Stormers. They won't be kicking away possession, but in holding onto the ball and playing a fast game, they will provide opportunities for turnovers. I can see the likes of Deon Fourie and Joseph Dweba, the players who get over the ball quickly, doing well in this one.
The most important thing for the Stormers is ensuring their lineouts are good. The Harlequins lineout is not their strong point, and they tend to play off the top and get rid of it quickly. If the Stormers can secure the ball and get their maul going, that could be a huge weapon for them.
The scrum, too, will be crucial. The best way to get to the halfbacks is to put them on the back foot from first-phase ball, and the Stormers can use the strength of their front row to do exactly that.
If they then bring physicality to the tackle and the breakdown and can slow down Harlequins ball, then the Stormers are on the right track.
One thing they might not get from Harlequins is aimless kicking down the field and opportunities to counter from deep, so it's about forcing those turnovers at the breakdown and from the loose.
All things considered, I think the Stormers will win the game. They are favourites at home, and it would be a massive disappointment if they don't get the job done here.
Toulouse v Bulls, Sunday 16:00
Given how the Bulls have been playing, it would be very difficult to call a win for them here. They have not performed at Currie Cup, URC or Champions Cup level and, until now, have not taken this competition very seriously.
They have their best team out there this weekend and their Springboks back, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie exciting.
There is always that 10-20% chance that the Bulls could turn the game around as they did against Leinster in the semi-finals of the URC last year, but just from a bookmaker's point of view, Toulouse will be heavy favourites.
There are around nine French internationals expected to play for Toulouse, who are top of the Top 14, and this is a competition they have done well in historically.
I can't see the Bulls winning this one.
The Bulls should look to regain some of their identity and look to a few of their forwards to make some big carries so that it isn't just Elrigh Louw all the time. If they get front-foot ball, they can be very dangerous, but they need more effort out of their pack.
Challenge Cup last 16:
Toulon v Cheetahs, Saturday 13:30
This is a tough ask for the Cheetahs, who do not have the benefit of regular URC competition against European sides.
They have looked solid in the Currie Cup so far, but this will be a different test entirely.
I'd generally back a French side at home against a touring party, given that they really get up for matches in front of their home crowds, but given the Cheetahs' lack of competition this season, I think that holds even more true.
This is going to be a difficult afternoon for the Cheetahs.
Lions v Racing, Saturday 18:30
It will be interesting to see the mindset of Racing here. The French, historically, have not taken the Challenge Cup too seriously, but they might view this as an opportunity to win a trophy.
If they have targeted this, then it could be a really tough outing for the Lions. If they have decided to prioritise the Top14, however, then the Lions will be in with a real chance.
The Lions have been playing a bit better of late and their win against the Bulls was a real confidence booster for them, and they will back themselves to win regardless of how Racing approach the fixture.
I'd put the Lions as favourites to win here.
Nick Mallett is a former Springbok, Stade Francais and Italy head coach and is currently a rugby analyst with SuperSport.
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