After the Sunwovles shocked the Waratahs at home last weekend, Round 8 of Super Rugby will see them take on the Rebels in Melbourne and pay for their second win in Australia.
But the round is highlighted by the Crusaders returning home for the first time since the Christchurch terror attacks to take on the Brumbies, in what is sure to be an emotional night.
(Note: All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Friday, April 5
Highlanders vs Hurricanes, 5:35pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Matt Faddes, Richard Buckman, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, marty Banks, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Tom Franklin, Josh Dickson, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Daniel Leinert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Jackson Hemopo, Elliot Dixon, Folau Fakatave, Josh Ioane, Rob Thompson.
Hurricanes: Chase Tiatia, Wes Goosen, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Kane Le'aupepe, James Blackwell, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Fraser Armstrong. Replacements: Asafo Aumana, Chris Eves, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Liam Mitchell, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, Matt Proctor.
Queensland Reds vs Stormers, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium, Queensland
Reds: Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, Sefa Naivalu, Samu Kerevu, Jack Hardy, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Hockings, Izack Rodda, Ruan Smith, Brandom Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith. Replacements: Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Fraser McReight, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia'aua, Isaav Lucas.
Stormers: Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen, Ruhan Nel, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Justin Phillips, Jaco Coetzee, Kobus van Dyk, Siya Kolisi (captain), Chris van Zyl, Cobus Wiese, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Corne Fourie. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Michael Kumbirai, Salmaan Moerat, Juarno Augustus, Herschel Jantjies, Joshua Stander, S.P. Marais.
Saturday, April 6
Lions vs Sharks, 4:10am, Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Tyrone Green, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Lionel Mapoe, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronjé, Ruan Vermaak, Cyle Brink, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Rhyno Herbst, Carlu Sadie, Malcolm Marx (captain), Sti Sithole. Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Nathan Macbeth, Frans van Wyk, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Stephan Lewies, Nic Groom, Hacjivah Dayimani, Sylvian Mahuza/Wandisile Simelane.
Sharks: Curwin Bosch, Lwazi Mvovo, Lukhanyo Am, André Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder (captain), Dan du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Luke Stringer, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Juan Schoeman, Thomas du Toit, JJ van der Mescht, Phillip van der Walt, Grant Williams, Kobus van Wyk, Aphelele Fassi.
Crusaders vs Brumbies, 3:15pm, Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders: David Havili, Will Jordan, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Sevu Reece, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Harry Allan, Michael Alaaloatoa, Sam Whitelock, Jordan Taufua, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Leicester Faingaanuku.
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Hnery Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Lachland McCaffrey, Tom Cusack, Pete Samu, Murray Douglas, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, James Slipper. Replacements: Connal McInerney, Vunipola Fifita, Tom Ross, sam Carter, Jarome Brown, Matt Lucas, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andy Muirhead.
Blues vs Waratahs, 5:35pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Blues: Melani Nanai, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipolotu, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman. Replacements: Matt Moulds, Marcel Renata, Ofa Tuungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Dalton Papalili, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Michael Collins.
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Cam Clarke, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Bernard Foley, nick Phipps, Michael Wells, Will Miller, Jack Dempsey, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes. Replacements: Andrew Tuala, Rory O'Connor, Chris Talakai, Tom Staniforth, Lachlan Swinton, Jake Gordon, Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi.
Melbourne Rebels vs Sunwolves, 7:45pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Melbourne Rebels: Reece Hodge, Jack Maddocks, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Angus Cottrell, Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Matt Phillip, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru, Rangi, Tetera Faulkner. Replacements:
Sunwolves: Ryohel Yamanaka, Gerhard van den Heever, Jason Emery, Karumichi Tatekawa, Semisi Masirewa, Hayden Parker, Kaito Shigeno, Hendrik Tui, Dan Pryor, Ben Gunter, Luke Thompson, Mark Abbott, Jiwon Koo, Jaba Brgvadze, Pauliasi Manu. Replacements: Nathan Vella, Masataka Mikami, Hiroshi Yamashita, Uwe Helu, Grant Hattingh, Jamie Boothm Takuya Yamasawa, Josh Timu.
Sunday, April 7
Bulls vs Jaguares, 12:05, Loftus Versfield, Pretoria
Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Johnny Kotze, Dylan Sage, Burger Odendaal, Jade Stighling, Manie Libbok, Embrose Papier, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Jannes Kirsten, Ruan Steenkamp, Eli Snyman, Hanro Liebenberg, Trevor Nyakane, Corniel Els, Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima, Conraad van Vuuren, Thembelani Bholi, Tim Agaba, Ivan van Zyl, JT Jackson, Cornal Hendricks.
Jaguares: Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Ramiro Moyano, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Tomas Cubelli, Javier Ortega Desio, Tomas Lezana, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Guido Petti, Sanitago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Mayvo Vivas. Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Mahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Enrique Pieretto, Tomas Lavanini, Rodrigo Bruni, Felipe Ezcurra, Domingo Miotti, Joaquin Tuculet.