The Vodacom Bulls get proceedings underway on Friday when they take on Zebre Parma (kick-off 19h30 SA time) at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, followed by a big clash for the Emirates Lions in Dublin, where perennial champions Leinster await them at the RDS Arena (kick-off 21h35 SA time).

On Saturday, Connacht host the DHL Stormers at the Sportsground in Galway (kick-off 15h00 SA time), and the final match of the weekend is in Treviso, where Benetton and the Cell C Sharks clash at Stadio Monigo from 17h05 (SA time).

A total of 24 capped Springboks have been included in the four travelling squads on this trip, where the SA sides will be looking to move up on the log as they still have a game in hand.

Weekend Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixtures

Friday, 25 February
19h30: Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls (Parma)
21h35: Leinster v Emirates Lions (Dublin)

Saturday, 26 February
15h00: Connacht v DHL Stormers (Galway)
17h05: Benetton v Cell C Sharks (Treviso)

All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Herschel Jantjies and Makazole Mapimpi are two of 24 capped Boks who are on tour in Europe at the moment.

Herschel Jantjies and Makazole Mapimpi are two of 24 capped Boks who are on tour in Europe at the moment.

The travelling squads are:

VODACOM BULLS

Forwards: Lizo Gqoboka, Gerhard Steenekamp, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jacques van Rooyen, Robert Hunt, Bismarck du Plessis, Johan Grobbelaar, Joe van Zyl, Walt Steenkamp, Ruan Nortje, Janko Swanepoel, Marcell Coetzee, Arno Botha, Elrigh Louw, WJ Steenkamp, Reinhardt Ludwig.

Backs: Embrose Papier, Keagan Johannes, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Chris Smith, Juan Mostert, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Stedman Gans, Cornal Hendricks, Madosh Tambwe, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse.

EMIRATES LIONS

Forwards: Ruan Dreyer, Morgan Naudé, Carlü Sadie, Sti Sithole, JP Smith, PJ Botha, Jaco Visagie, Ruben Schoeman, PJ Steenkamp, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn, Jaco Kriel, Sibusiso Sangweni, Lunga Ncube.

Backs: Morné van den Berg, Jordan Hendrikse, Burger Odendaal, Manuel Rass, Wandisile Simelane, Stean Pienaar, Edwill van der Merwe, Quan Horn, Nico Steyn, Tiaan Swanepoel, EW Viljoen.

CELL C SHARKS

Forwards: Bongi Mbonambi, Kerron van Vuuren, Fez Mbatha, Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Khutha Mchunu, Wiehahn Herbst, Gerbrandt Grobler, Le Roux Roets, Ruben van Heerden, Siya Kolisi, Henco Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, James Venter.

Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Cameron Wright, Sanele Nohamba, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Marius Louw, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Aphelele Fassi, Curwin Bosch, Werner Kok.

DHL STORMERS

Forwards: Hacjivah Dayimani, Ben-Jason Dixon, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Brok Harris, Steven Kitshoff, David Meihuizen, Scarra Ntubeni, Marvin Orie, Junior Pokomela, Evan Roos, Sazi Sandi, Adre Smith, Ernst van Rhyn, Andre-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak.

Backs: Angelo Davids, Paul de Wet, Dan du Plessis, Warrick Gelant, Herschel Jantjies, Manie Libbok, Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen, Seabelo Senatla, Damian Willemse.