The Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs will aim to hit the ground running in the Guinness PRO14 this weekend after a four-week festive season break when they line up against Edinburgh and Zebre Rugby Club in Scotland and Italy respectively.

While their European counterparts took to the field in the last two weeks, the SA sides enjoyed an extended Christmas break, meaning they will have to fire on all cylinders from the outset to make a strong statement as their 2019 action kicks off.

The Southern Kings and Edinburgh will meet at Murrayfield on Saturday, while the Toyota Cheetahs take on Zebre Rugby Club at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma in the only match on Sunday.

The Toyota Cheetahs, meanwhile, will enter their match against Zebre Rugby Club with confidence, as they occupy a higher log position than their Italian rivals despite playing two less matches in the competition.

The hosts boast three victories in 12 matches to the Toyota Cheetahs’ two in 10 outings, but the Free Staters have scored 63 more points in their matches, with their superior attack steering them to 31 tries to Zebre’s 19.

Coach Franco Smith’s men, however, will have to step up their defence, as Zebre have been more effective in that department.

This will mark the sides’ first clash this season, but after registering a comprehensive victory against Zebre Rugby Club in Bloemfontein and defeating the Italians 24-23 at home last season, the Toyota Cheetahs will look to continue this dominance against the side from Parma.

Guinness PRO 14 Round 13 fixtures:

Edinburgh v Isuzu Southern Kings

Date: Saturday, 5 January

SA time: 21h35

Venue: BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Johnny Erskine (IRFU) and Hollie Davidson (SRU)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

TV: SS1

Zebre v Toyota Cheetahs

Date: Sunday, 6 January

SA time: 15h00

Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)

Assistant referees: Aled Evans (WRU) and Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

TV: SS1

Other Round 13 matches (SA kick-off times):

Saturday, 5 January:

16h00: Benetton v Glasgow Warriors – Stadio Montigo, Treviso

17h00: Ospreys v Cardiff Blues – Liberty Stadium, Swansea

19h15: Leinster v Ulster – RDS Arena, Dublin

19h15: Scarlets v Dragons – Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli

21h35: Connacht v Munster – The Sportsground, Galway