The odds will be stacked against the South African teams in the United Rugby Championship this weekend, as all four SA sides will play away from home.
Last weekend, the Bulls and the Lions were at home while the Sharks and Stormers had to travel to take on their opponents.
In fact, the SA outfits completed a clean sweep of wins in the URC even though the Stormers took on Zebre in Northern Italy and the Sharks had to overcome the Dragons in Newport.
The pressure then will be on the Lions and Bulls this weekend, to take their form at home on the road.
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Sharks first up in Treviso
On Saturday the Sharks will take on Benetton in Treviso at 4pm, the Stormers will face Edinburgh at 6.15pm and the Bulls will be up last against Ospreys in Swansea at 8.35pm. On Sunday, the Lions will take on the Dragons in Newport at 3.30pm.
Sharks coach John Plumtree envisaged a huge challenge from Benneton.
“They are going to come hard at us. Most of their team has played for Italy and they are a proud bunch,” said Plumtree.
“It will be a massive physical challenge against a side very good at keeping the ball. We will have to concentrate for long periods (when the ball is in play).”
The Bulls, meanwhile, will have a positional dilemma on their hands with Springbok star Canan Moodie down to start at centre for the Pretoria outfit.
“I played centre at school, so it’s obviously a position I love to play. I got a taste of it at the World Cup and a few games for the Springboks, so I’m fairly comfortable now playing at centre for the Bulls,” Moodie said.
“I just want to be the best player, where I can contribute. I think for me, centre is where I can do that.”