The tournament welcomes the addition of the Zimbabwe Goshawks, the Simbas from Kenya and Black Lion from Georgia.

The opening game of the tournament will be played at Outeniqua Park in George when the SWD Eagles tackle the Eastern Province Elephants at 19:00 on Friday night.

At 15:00 on Saturday afternoon the 2021 runners-up, the Griffons will be in action when they come up against the Border Bulldogs in Welkom.

The Boland Cavaliers will get their campaign underway in Piketberg when they host the Valke.

Villagers Rugby Club in Claremont, Cape Town, will play host to the game between the Goshawks and Black Lion.

The defending champions, the Leopards, will enjoy a first-round bye and they will face the Bulldogs in East London next week.

Griffons - 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Keanu Vers, 13 Aphiwe Stemele, 12 Marquit September, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 Duan Pretorius (captain), 9 Jaywinn Juries, 8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Jean Pretorius, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Michael Benadie, 4 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 3 Dandré Delport, 2 Buhle Nojekwa, 1 Stephan de Jager.

Replacements – 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Athenkosi Khetani, 20 Curtley Thomas, 22 Ethan Williams, 23 Donavan Don, 24 Allistair Mumba.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport