While the Stormers made a winning start, the rest of the South African teams are seeking their first victories in European competition this weekend.
The Stormers opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign with an impressive 26-17 away win against Bayonne and will look to carry their formidable form into round two when they take on La Rochelle in Gqeberha on Saturday.
John Dobson’s men have been red hot this season, winning all six of their Vodacom URC matches, and the victory over Bayonne has boosted confidence even more.
But two-time champions La Rochelle pose a formidable challenge. Their 39-20 victory against the Leicester Tigers saw them go top of their pool.
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The Stormers have been strengthened by the return of a number of Springboks, including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The 23-year-old forms a familiar halfback pairing with veteran Cobus Reinach, while Dobson can also rely on the return of fit-again Warrick Gelant at fullback.
But South African rugby fans will be hoping the other Champions Cup teams can turn the corner after disappointing opening round defeats.
The Sharks, under new interim coach JP Pietersen, welcome Saracens to Durban on Saturday, while the Vodacom Bulls take on the Northampton Saints in England on Sunday.
These matches are crucial in terms of playoff hopes, given that the European showpieces consist of only four round-robin matches before the knockout stage, which begins with the round of 16.
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The Sharks will have to be on point when they line up against Saracens at Kings Park, especially with the visitors coming off a comprehensive 47-10 opening-round victory against Clermont.
The English club are also currently second on the Premiership table, so the Durbanites will have to deliver an all-round top-drawer performance to change their fortunes this season.
The Sharks only won one and drew one of their six URC matches before suffering a heavy 56-19 defeat against Toulouse in the Champions Cup last week.
However, they have been boosted by the return of a number of Springboks, including centre Andre Esterhuizen, who will captain the team.
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The clash between the Vodacom Bulls and Saints is expected to be hard fought between two sides desperate to hit top form.
The Bulls were ultimately outgunned by defending champions Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus last week, but not before giving the visitors an almighty early scare.
Saints came away with a 35-27 victory against Pau in their opener, but have won three of their last four games at home and will bank on crowd support and chilly conditions.
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In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs take on Stade Français in Amsterdam, and the Lions face Newcastle at Franklin’s Gardens.
Despite being outplayed in a 42-12 defeat, the Cheetahs can take heart from their second-half showing against the Exeter Chiefs.
The French outfit registered a 38-17 victory against Cardiff last week, and are currently fourth on the Top 14 table after winning six of their 11 matches this season.
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The Lions will also back themselves to give Newcastle a go when they meet at Kingston Park on Saturday, after a costly yellow card in the closing minutes of their clash against Benetton last week resulted in a 26-18 defeat.
The Joburg-based outfit has had a decent season so far, suffering only three defeats in the URC – one of which was by two points – but they have shown decent form, which has included victories over Ulster, the Scarlets and Bulls recently.
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Newcastle beat Lyon 23-14 last week, but have been struggling to find momentum after suffering five defeats in their previous six matches before then.
After this weekend’s European clashes, the URC returns with two rounds of South African derbies on 20 December and 3 January.
Investec Champions Cup Round 2 fixtures (SA times)
Friday, 12 December
Leicester Tigers vs Leinster (10pm)
Saturday, 13 December
Stormers vs La Rochelle (3pm)
Sharks vs Saracens (5:15pm)
Clermont Auvergne vs Sale Sharks (5:15pm)
Bordeaux Bègles vs Scarlets (7:30pm)
Munster vs Gloucester (7:30pm)
Glasgow Warriors vs Toulouse (10pm)
Sunday, 14 December
Harlequins vs Bayonne (3pm)
Castres vs Edinburgh (3pm)
Toulon vs Bath (5:15pm)
Northampton Saints vs Bulls (5:15pm)
Bristol Bears vs Pau (7:30pm)
EPCR Challenge Cup Round 2 fixtures (SA times)
Friday, 12 December
Montpellier vs Zebre Parma (10pm)
Saturday, 13 December
Benetton vs Perpignan (3pm)
Cheetahs vs Stade Français (3pm)
Montauban vs Ospreys (5:15pm)
Newcastle Red Bulls vs Lions (7:30pm)
Cardiff vs Ulster (10pm)
Connacht vs Black Lion (10pm)
Sunday, 14 December
Racing 92 vs Exeter Chiefs (3pm)
Dragons vs Lyon (5:15pm)
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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