Following Round 1 byes, three more teams will kick off their Currie Cup campaigns this weekend including defending champions Western Province.
The other two teams, Golden Lions and Sharks, last year's runners-up, host Griquas and Blue Bulls respectively.
Griquas will be eager to rectify their first-round loss at the Pumas when they travel to Emirates Airline Park on Friday; however the better-stocked Golden Lions will expect a home win which could prove to be crucial in the tournament's new single-round format.
It will be a tough task for the men from Kimberley, who haven't won in Johannesburg since 2012. That said, coach Peter Engledow is largely backing his chosen team of last weekend to reverse that trend as he has made just two changes to their starting XV by adding Eric Zana and Pieter van Vuren.
Newly-appointed Golden Lions coach, Ivan van Rooyen, has included six players who featured in the Super Rugby final loss to the Crusaders in his match-day squad.
On top of that, van Rooyen's team contains four Junior Springboks who competed at this year's World Rugby U20 Championship in France including young star Wandisile Simelane on the bench. Marvin Orie and Ross Cronje will also start after returning from the Springbok squad
In Durban, Sharks will have the luxury of six Springboks including their new captain Chiliboy Ralepelle and flyhalf Robert du Preez. The coastal side have won nine of their last 10 meetings with the Blue Bulls, and the Pretoria-based outfit have made three changes from last weekend's win over Free State Cheetahs to try to overturn that run of form on Saturday.
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel, who wasn't picked by Rassie Erasmus to travel to Argentina, returns to the midfield in the only change in the backs, while Hendre Stassen and Jaco Visagie will start in the forwards.
Western Province will get their title defence underway at home against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday afternoon, having recently returned from a pre-season tour to France.
New captain Dillyn Leyds will be aided by the Junior Springboks' 2018 captain, Salmaan Moerat, who will be partnered by JD Schickerling in the second row, while Blitzbok Ruhan Nel will wear the number 13 jersey.
The travelling Free State Cheetahs have made seven changes from their loss to the Blue Bulls last week. As a result of the changes, Aidon Davids and former Bulls Dries Swanepoel and Louis Fouche will make their debuts for the Free State team.
TEAMS FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday, 24 August
Golden Lions vs. Griquas 19:00
Golden Lions: Andries Coetzee, Sylvian Mahuza, Jan-Louis la Grange, Manni Rass, Courtnall Skosan, Shaun Reynolds, Ross Cronjé, Hacjivah Dayimani, Len Massyn, James Venter, Marvin Orie, Rhyno Herbst, Johannes Jonker, Corné Fourie, Sti Sithole. Substitutes: HP van Schoor, Jacobie Adriaanse, JP Steenkamp, Vincent Tshituka, Dillon Smit, Tyrone Green, Wandisile Simelane.
Griquas: Eric Zana, Ederies Arendse, Kyle Steyn, Christopher Bosch, AJ Coertzen , George Whitehead,Christiaan Meyer, Conway Pretorius, Sias Koen, Wendal Wehr, Pieter van Vuren, Sintu Manjezi, Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Khwezi Mkhafu, Devon Martinus. Substitutes: Wilmar Arnoldi, Ruan Kramer, Wandile Putuma, Eital Bredenkamp, Izak Burger, Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, Andre Swarts.
Saturday, 25 August
Sharks v Blue Bulls 15:00
Sharks: Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Lwazi Mvovo, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder, Dan du Preez, Tyler Paul, Wian Vosloo, Hyron Andrews, Gideon Koegelenberg, John-Hubert Meyer, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Juan Schoeman. Substitutes: Kerron van Vuuren, Khutha Mchunu, Andrew Evans, Lubabalo Mthembu, Cameron Wright, Johan Deysel, Aphelele Fassi.
Blue Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Jade Stighlinh, Jesse Kriel, Johnny Kotze, Jamba Ulengo, Manie Libbok, André Warner, Hanro Liebenberg, Thembelani Bholi, Ruan Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Hendré Stassen, Conrad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie, Matthys Basson. Substitutes: Edgar Marutlulle, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Eli Snyman, Jano Venter, Raegan Oranje, Tony Jantjies, JT Jackson.
Western Province v Free State Cheetahs, 17:00
Western Province: SP Marais, JJ Engelbrecht, Ruhan Nel, Dan Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Josh Stander, Jano Vermaak, Juarno Augustus, Kobus van Dyk, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, JD Schickerling, Salmaan Moerat, Michael Kumbirai, Scarra Ntubeni, Ali Vermaak. Substitutes: Chad Solomon, Caylib Oosthuizen, Neethling Fouche, Ernst van Rhyn, Herschel Jantjies, Dan du Plessis, Sergeal Petersen.
Free State Cheetahs: Malcolm Jaer, Rabz Maxwane, Dries Swanepoel, Nico Lee, William Small-Smith, Louis Fouche, Tian Meyer, Aidon Davis, Oupa Mohoje, Jasper Wiese, Dennis Visser, Justin Basson, Günther Janse van Vuuren, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche. Substitutes: Jacques du Toit, Erich de Jager, Luan de Bruin, Stephan Malan, Junior Pokomela, Shaun Venter, Ernst Stapelberg.