Following the conclusion of the Six Nations, the focus returns to club rugby with the United Rugby Championship set to deliver an exciting round of matches. Planet Rugby examines what this upcoming round means for the South African teams and highlights key storylines to watch out for.

The return of Rugby World Cup stars is a major talking point, with Frans Malherbe making his season debut for the Stormers against Edinburgh. Vincent Koch is also set to make his Sharks debut after recovering from injury.

Both players will be crucial for the upcoming Test season.

The Stormers will be looking to finish the regular season strongly and secure a playoff spot, following a challenging season. Head coach John Dobson will be hoping to replicate their past success and make a strong push towards the playoffs.

The Bulls, currently sitting second on the table, will be eyeing a dream start to their Northern tour as they travel to face Leinster. The Sharks, on the other hand, need to show improvement and turn their season around to salvage some pride.

The Lions, just three points away from the playoffs, face a crucial game against Connacht as they aim to secure Champions Cup qualification. The team's unity and impressive performances make them contenders for a top-eight finish.