South Africa's welcome pack to Europe: The teams heading into battle

Stormers won the inaugural URC last season. South Africa's team is going to Europe.

The Stormers reached one Super Rugby final in 2010. Outside of last season's success, the Cape side has only playoff knockouts to show.

Jake White is the head coach of the Bulls and the director of rugby. He won the Challenge Cup with Montpellier in 2016. Ruan Nortje is captain of South Africa's national rugby team. Loftus Versfeld is their home ground. It was built in 1906 and has been renovated several times.

South Africa's team is going to Europe. They are second in the URC with seven wins and two losses from their opening nine matches.

Last season, South African outfit fell short to the Stormers in an all-South African final.

The Bulls won Super Rugby titles in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Neil Powell took over the Sharks' head coach role after Sean Everitt stepped down last week. Front row Thomas du Toit is the captain of the side in the absence of Lukhanyo Am. Kings Park stadium is home to the Durban outfit. It was opened in 1958 and has a capacity of 54,000.

Sharks have the strongest squad in the country. Front row is made up of Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, du Toit, Kolisi and Etzebeth. Backline is also full of Springboks, with Jaden Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi. Sharks are 10th on the URC table with four wins from seven games.

South Africa's team is heading to Europe. Last season's performance saw the Sharks lose in the quarterfinals of the URC to the Bulls.

Sharks have finished as runners-up in 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2012 but have yet to win a major tournament.