GAME DAY I Stormers set the pace as Lions, Sharks and Bulls begin URC campaigns

The Stormers started South Africa's United Rugby Championship campaign with a 29-15 victory over Connacht in Galway on Friday night. The focus then shifts to Johannesburg, Durban, and Parma for the Lions, Sharks, and Bulls as they kick off their URC campaigns on Saturday.

Fans have a thrilling afternoon and evening ahead, with the Lions taking on Leinster at 1:30 pm, the Sharks hosting the Ospreys at 4 pm, and the Bulls traveling to Zebre at 6:30 pm. The Lions are hoping the early afternoon heat and altitude will unsettle defending champions Leinster, who returned with a full-strength squad after their loss in last season's quarter-final in Dublin.

The Sharks will make history by starting a URC season at home for the first time, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage. With a strong recent record at Kings Park, coach JP Pietersen is focused on securing wins to prove the new Sharks Rugby Club is on the right path. Meanwhile, the Bulls' opener against Zebre is expected to be the easiest of their three South African assignments. Zebre finished at the bottom of the 16-team tournament last season, while the Bulls were runners-up.

However, the Bulls are currently without several Springboks on duty in Perth and have suffered significant injuries to their front row, including Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, and Gerhard Steenekamp. Flyhalf Curwin Bosch, at 29, is also looking to revive his career that once held great promise. The Bulls will launch their title challenge after finishing as runners-up in each of the past two URC seasons.