It was a baptism of fire for the four South African sides after their month-plus long tour across the equator as the new United Rugby Championship got underway in September.
Their addition to the former PRO14 was expected to make the tournament more competitive and stronger.
A glance at the league table after the first four rounds may not reflect that anticipated impact.
Three Irish Provinces in the top three places – all unbeaten – a mix of Scottish and Welsh occupying the next spots with Benetton flying the Italian flag in eighth place.
Zebre prop things up, the Italians will no doubt continue to struggle as they did in the former guises of this competition.
As for the South Africans, the Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Stormers all secured one win each in their four matches, with . . .
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