The Emirates Lions will be the first South African team in action on Saturday in their round-six encounter with the Rebels in Melbourne, where the action gets underway at 10.15am (SA time).
Meanwhile, in Pretoria the Vodacom Bulls will be desperate for their first win of the season when they host the Highlanders in a late afternoon kick-off at Loftus Versfeld at 3.15pm.
The Cell C Sharks tackle the Jaguares in Durban on Saturday afternoon in their first game since returning from their successful Vodacom Super Rugby tour of Australasia. The match kicks off at 3.05pm.
The Durban side can top the South African Conference if they beat the formidable South American outfit, as the DHL Stormers, who are currently in the lead on the log, have a bye this weekend.
The inclusion of Springbok flank Willem Alberts is one of three changes to the Emirates Lions’ starting team for their clash against the Rebels in Melbourne on March 7.
Alberts, who-rejoined the Joburg side earlier this year after playing club rugby in France, comes into the starting team in the back row to replace the injured Vincent Tshituka.
In the front row, Pieter Jansen is handed a start in the No 2-jersey, with Jan-Henning Campher moving to the replacement bench. The outside centre berth goes to Wandisile Simelane, and Manuel Rass drops out of the match day 23 this week.
Vodacom Bulls hand out two debuts for Highlanders clash.
Former Junior Springbok No 8 Muller Uys and Ian Groenewald (lock) will make their Vodacom Super Rugby debuts when the Vodacom Bulls host the Highlanders in Pretoria.
Vodacom Bulls coach, Pote Human made four changes in total to the side that lost to the Jaguares with Ruan Nortje partnering Groenewald in a new-look second row combination.
There is one change in the backline, where Manie Libbok gets his first start of the season at flyhalf as Morné Steyn is shifted to the bench.
Other matches:
February 29
8.05am: Hurricanes vs Blues, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Byes: DHL Stormers
