The Guinness PRO14 season gets underway with a bang on Friday night in South Africa and the excitement will only build from there on a blockbuster opening weekend.

As rugby fans in Europe and South Africa set their alarms to keep up with the early starts at the World Cup in Japan, round one of the Guinness PRO14 offers some slightly more palatable kick-off times, which can all be watched live here.

It begins when the Toyota Cheetahs host last year’s runners-up Glasgow Warriors on Friday in Bloemfontein – the first time a South African team have hosted on the opening weekend – while all five countries in the Guinness PRO14 will play host to at least one match.

With that in mind, what should we be watching out for?

FRIDAY

Toyota Cheetahs v Glasgow Warriors

Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein | KO 19:05 SA / 18:05 UK | Live on Super Sport, Premier Sports, eir Sport & DAZN – Broadcast partners

There is understandably plenty of excitement among Cheetahs fans over the new season following their Currie Cup success, and that will only heighten with an opening clash against Dave Rennie’s free-scoring Warriors.

Glasgow have made a habit of starting their seasons quickly but will face a tough challenge in Bloemfontein, where the Cheetahs are a tough proposition.

They come in brimming with confidence after lifting the sixth Currie Cup in their history earlier this month.

Averaging a tick less than 40 points a game, expect them to be as expansive as ever and it’s not just Rabz Maxwane and the speedsters who were hogging the tries, hooker Joseph Dweba finished as top dog in the competition with seven!

Add in the return to the Guinness PRO14 of Ulster legend Ruan Pienaar and the Cheetahs could be a real force this season.

They face a Glasgow team who will be looking to go one better than last year’s heartbreaking loss to Leinster in the final at Celtic Park.

And while they are without some of their World Cup stars, expect the likes of Stafford McDowall and Kyle Steyn to make hay while others are in Japan.

🏋️‍♂️ The squad were hard at work in the Moove Motion Fitness Club gym in Johannesburg today ahead of Friday's Guinness PRO14 opener against @CheetahsRugby. pic.twitter.com/0okPPIUS8c
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 23, 2019

Ulster v Ospreys

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast | KO 19:35 UK | Live on Premier Sports & DAZN – Broadcast partners

The other game on Friday night is in Belfast where Ulster host the Ospreys, with both teams looking to build on strong campaigns under rookie coaches Dan McFarland and Allen Clarke.

From an Ulster perspective, the early weeks of the season look like a real opportunity. There are often a couple of teams who build real momentum during the World Cup period, and Ulster look like one of those teams. They may be missing Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale, as well as the retiring Rory Best, but it could have been many more.

The likes of Jack McGrath and Jordi Murphy will have a point to prove, not to mention John Cooney and Will Addison in the backline.

The Ospreys will probably have it a bit tougher, and Gareth Anscombe’s long-term injury will not have helped their cause.

But seeing the likes of Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler get a chance after his impressive Wales Under-20s showings will be exciting in a midfield that also features international class in Scott Williams and Cory Allen.

SATURDAY

Munster v Dragons

Thomond Park, Limerick | KO 15:00 UK | Live on TG4, eir Sport, Free Sports, DAZN – Broadcast partners

Attention on Saturday shifts to Ireland where the Dean Ryan era at the Dragons begins with one of the more daunting challenges in the sport.

Travelling to Thomond Park is demanding at the best of times, let alone for your first game in charge, but Ryan has never been one to shirk a challenge.

He has inspired plenty of optimism so far at Rodney Parade, and that will only increase with a good opening performance on the road in Limerick.

The game should also give Sam Davies the chance to shine and show why he felt the time was right to switch regions.

From a Munster perspective, the arrival of Stephen Larkham was one of the acquisitions of the summer, with Graham Rowntree set to follow once his Georgia commitments finish.

The Wallaby legend has already been in place for a month and the players will have been getting to grips with his methods.

That should make for some exciting rugby, while the emergence of youngsters like diminutive scrum-half Craig Casey should only help the cause.

📹 | 🔥This week's show-and-go is brought to you by Kevin O'Byrne 🔥

🏉Rory Scannell at the end of Munster's first try in the pre-season game v Connacht at the weekend.

Looking forward to the season proper kicking off this Saturday @thomondstadium for #MUNvDRA 3pm #SUAF🔴 pic.twitter.com/yDWK7MYFL4
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 23, 2019

Isuzu Southern Kings v Cardiff Blues

NMB Stadium, Port Elizabeth | KO 16:00 SA /15:00 UK | Live on Super Sport, eir Sport, Premier Sports, DAZN – Broadcast partners

It is not just the Cheetahs kicking off on home soil, the Isuzu Southern Kings are also opening up in South Africa at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium against the Cardiff Blues.

This off-season was one of massive change for the Kings, so it will be intriguing to see how they line up against John Mulvihill’s side.

One key signing is that of Dimitri Catrakilis. The former Stormers, Montpellier and Harlequins man brings a wealth of experience and an accurate boot that should offer some stability alongside the attacking threats of Masixole Banda and Yaw Penxe in the back three.

From a Blues perspective, year two under Mulvihill will be about stepping up from last term. They will have to wait a little, or a lot, longer for Josh Adams’ return from Japan and debut, but expect Owen Lane to make a statement after narrowly missing out on Wales’ World Cup squad, and the same is true of Jarrod Evans.

Benetton Rugby v Leinster

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli | KO 17:15 UK | Live on S4C, Premier Sports, TG4, DAZN – Broadcast partners

Benetton and Leinster have played out some thrillers in recent seasons and meet on the opening weekend this time around.

With a win and a draw in Dublin on their last two visits, Benetton will clearly have no fear or Leinster, even without a massive World Cup contingent.

Kieran Crowley still has plenty of talent at his disposal though, the likes of Ratuva Tavuyara and Monty Ioane are worth the admission fee alone.

The arrival of Ian Keatley gives them added depth at fly-half while Tommaso Allan is away, although watch out for Antonio Rizzi who is the coming man in the position for Italy.

For Leinster, the loss of World Cup players is a heavy burden, but no team has more depth and is better able to cope.

The question is more which of the youngsters will emerge to become a first-team regular. Will it be Caelan Doris or Scott Penny in the back row, Conor O’Brien in the centres or maybe even the returning Cian Kelleher at full-back?

There are so many options for Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster to play around with.

Thanks for capturing a special moment. A dream come true to play in a @rugbyworldcup . Onwards and upwards for us @officialTongaRU https://t.co/YmXX11zBbT
— Nasi Manu (@NasiManu) href=“https://twitter.com/NasiManu/status/1175832713342795776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 22, 2019

Scarlets v Connacht

Stadio Monigo, Treviso | KO 18:15 ITA / 17:15 UK | Live on DAZN, Premier Sports, eir Sport – Broadcast partners

The Wayne Pivac era ended with a difficult campaign, but he remains a hard act to follow after a remarkable run at the Scarlets. His replacement Brad Mooar arrives from New Zealand with a massive pedigree though after his success as an assistant with the all-conquering Crusaders.

He is without a number of World Cup stars, but Rob Evans and Samson Lee might be the two most determined players of all in this early season.

From a Connacht perspective, Andy Friend will need no reminding that four years ago in a World Cup year, the team from Galway flew out of the blocks during the 2015 edition and carried that momentum all the way to the title.

Once again they are not overly affected by international call-ups and a win on the road in Wales to start off would be the dream way to kick off the campaign.

Edinburgh v Zebre

BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | KO 19:35 UK | Live on Premier Sports & DAZN – Broadcast partners

It has been a tricky week for Edinburgh, losing star back rower Hamish Watson to what looks like a potentially long-term knee injury.

But Richard Cockerill will have been planning for life without Watson in the opening weeks of the season, and the back row is one area where he has reasonable depth.

The backline should still be very tasty in the early weeks of the season, with only Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn away in Japan.

Meanwhile Zebre will be looking to bounce back from a tricky campaign last year, albeit in a tough road encounter to start the season.

As well as bringing in experienced campaigners like Ian Nagle, Mick Kearney and Alex Tarus, watch out for former Harlequins flyer Charlie Walker.

And up front, Danilo Fischetti was one of the standouts from a very strong Italy Under-20s side and the loosehead prop could be pushing into the senior team sooner rather than later.