Super Rugby returns this weekend for the South African, Argentine, and Japanese sides, with most players having come through the June international break injury-free.
The South Africans in particular will have received a boost in confidence after the Springbok side trounced France 3-0 in the series to bring the feel-good factor back into the local game.
KweséESPN previews the final three rounds in the regular season for the six South African participants.
BULLS
Last three fixtures
June 30: Sharks vs Bulls
July 8: Bulls vs Southern Kings
July 15: Bulls vs Stormers
The Bulls are out of contention for a quarterfinal berth. Even if they win their remaining three matches with full bonus points, and the Stormers above them pick up nothing to leave both teams with 30 points, the Cape Town-based side would advance as they'd have won more matches in the league phase.
But what the Bulls can do is use their remaining matches to build momentum for the domestic Currie Cup, and Super Rugby next year under new coach John Mitchell. The individual players will also have the chance to put up their hands for Springbok selection for the Rugby Championship and end-of-year tour.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard needs to prove his fitness after another setback in his bid to return from an ankle injury.
CHEETAHS
Last two fixtures
July 1: Cheetahs vs Stormers
July 14: Southern Kings vs Cheetahs
The Cheetahs have just two matches left this season, and possibly in Super Rugby in general if, as expected, they are dropped from the competition as one of two South African teams cut for 2018.
With just three wins from 13 matches so far this campaign, they have done little to justify their place next year, even if geographically they may have had a case. Only the Sunwolves (504) and Rebels (506) have conceded more points than the Cheetahs in Super Rugby this season, a sign of where their troubles lie.
LIONS
Last two fixtures
July 1: Lions vs Sunwolves
July 14: Sharks vs Lions
Last year's beaten finalists have been imperious in the 2017 competition, with 12 wins from the 13 games they have played. Their single defeat came at the hands of the Jaguares on March 11.
It means their quarterfinal place is secured, but the aim now is to top the overall log and ensure home matches through the knockout stages to give them the best chance of lifting their first-ever Super Rugby title.
They currently trail New Zealand's Crusaders by eight points in the overall standings, having played a game less, and have a possible bankable five points at home to the Sunwolves on Saturday, followed by a difficult trip to the Sharks a fortnight later.
A haul of nine points in their final two games, and a loss by the Crusaders at the Hurricanes in their final game on July 14, could see the Lions top the pile.
They are sweating over the fitness of inspirational skipper Warren Whiteley though, as he sat out the Boks' victory over France on Saturday and will be assessed this week.
SHARKS
Last two fixtures
June 30: Sharks vs Bulls
July 14: Sharks vs Lions
The Sharks have already secured a quarterfinal place and have two home games to finish off the regular season, where the real aim will be to remain injury-free going into the knockout stages.
They would like to move up the overall table to avoid a potential trip to Canterbury in the quarterfinals, but realistically they will only make a single place jump at best, which would still mean a clash with the Lions at Ellis Park.
No injuries and momentum going into the knockout stages are the best they can hope for.
SOUTHERN KINGS
Last three fixtures
July 1: Jaguares vs Southern Kings
July 8: Bulls vs Southern Kings
July 14: Southern Kings vs Cheetahs
The Kings have been vastly improved in the second half of the Super Rugby season, but four wins from 12 games means they are out of quarterfinal contention.
It is highly likely that this is the union's final set of matches in Super Rugby for the foreseeable future, so many players are hoping to put themselves in the shop window for contracts elsewhere next season.
That was the rather cynical view given by coach Deon Davids to explain the side's upturn in fortunes before the international break, but there could well be some truth there.
STORMERS
Last three fixtures
July 1: Cheetahs vs Stormers
July 8: Stormers vs Sunwolves
July 15: Bulls vs Stormers
The Stormers have already secured a quarterfinal place and can coast through the final three rounds of they so choose.
The Cape Town-based side cannot finish higher or lower than their current third place on the overall log, which means a home quarterfinal, likely against the Waikato Chiefs or Wellington Hurricanes.
So form, avoiding injuries, momentum, and ironing out combinations will be their ambition over the next three weeks.