After all they have a huge depth of players, large and full stadiums, deep pockets, and plenty of good coaches.
But South African sides like the comforts of home: sun on the back, fanatical home support and familiar surroundings.
But in a competition where teams play half their games away, a side which cannot win on foreign turf is always going to struggle.
Away from home for more than a month, as the South African sides journey across the Indian Ocean and beyond, time must begin to drag, especially if sides start losing.
So the key to having a good season is to win a few games away from home and then make your own home ground a fortress.
In this regard, the Sharks, with the Stormers not far behind, are the South African teams likely to go the furthest in this year's competition.
Last season, the Sharks finished third on the table but went down in the semifinal to the Waratahs.
This year they have been given a great draw, playing a couple of games in South Africa, and then travelling away for four weeks, before playing six of their last seven games at home.
The Sharks have retained all their key players, and Springbok skipper John Smit has returned after a year playing in France.
The Sharks' only major loss is French first five-eighth Frederic Michalak, who has returned home.
Smit's return is a massive boost to the side, even if he is forced to play prop as Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers sees the burly Smit's future on the tight head side of the front row.
Smit's place at hooker will be ably filled by Bismarck de Plessis, who adds plenty of aggression to the Sharks game.
The Sharks can also call on dynamic No 8 Ryan Kankowski, while loose forwards Keegan Daniel and Jacques Botes are rarely outplayed.
Out the back they have two of the best young talents in the game in Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn, but what are the best positions for the duo is still open to debate.
Steyn can play right along the backline, while Pienaar started out as a halfback, but is now seen as a first five-eighth.
The only major question mark hanging over the side may be at line-out time, with the side relying on the 35-year-old legs of Albert van den Berg to win ball.
The Sharks have a new coach in former Wellington coach John Plumtree, but he has been waiting in the wings behind Dick Muir for a couple of years, and should know what makes the team tick.
The Sharks play the Stormers in the first round, and they could meet again further down the track.
The Stormers have always enjoyed fanatical support.
Indeed, the match at Newlands this weekend, is already nearly sold out, and the team was one try away from making the semifinals last year.
The Cape Town-based side has always been a slow starter but if it can get organised and pick up a few wins, with four of its first five games at home, it is in with a chance.
The side has a tough away draw, having to play the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Waratahs on the road.
Evergreen fullback Percy Montgomery has signed for the side, while Jean de Villiers is the key man in the midfield.
Halfbacks Ricky Januarie and Bolla Conradie will give the side dependable service behind the ruck.
Schalk Burger, who has been struggling with injury, and the controversial Luke Watson will be part of a strong loose forward unit but much will depend on beanpole lock Andries Bekker, who is troubled by a back injury.
Veteran AJ Venter (now 35) has moved from the Sharks.
On the high veldt, the Bulls will be wanting to atone for a disappointing 2008 season, after winning the title the previous year.
Lock Victor Matfield has come home after a spell in France, while JP Nel has returned from playing club rugby in Japan.
Momentum is a huge thing for the Bulls. Win a couple of games, the mentality starts to pick up, and the travel becomes fun.
But with a few losses, harmony goes missing, and the Bulls' ship starts listing.
Matfield and his locking partner Bakkies Botha are keys, while new first five-eighth Morne Steyn will have to fill the boots of Derek Hougaard.
The Lions finished bottom last year and coach Eugene Eloff will want to better the two wins of last year.
There was hope first five-eighth Andre Pretorious would be back to lead the side round the paddock after battling injury for two years but he is still struggling.
The Cheetahs finished one place above the Lions, with just one win, although they picked up nine bonus points.
Coach Nake Drotske has a tough job to get the side competitive.
It does not have a lot of money, but has game breakers in winger Jonge Nokwe and flanker Juan Smith, and like all South African sides a physical and big tight five
The squads:
Stormers
Coach: Rassie Eramus (second year)
Captain: Jean de Villiers
Key forward: Schalk Burger
Key back: Jean de Villiers
Last year: 5th
Prediction: Semifinalist.
The squad:
Backs: Conrad Jantes, Percy Montgomery, Joe Pietersen, Tonderai Chavhanga, Sireli Naqelevuki, Nick Koster, Gcobani Bobo, Dylan des Fountain, Morgan Newman, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Bolla Conradie, D Duvenhage.
Forwards: Hilton Loberts, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Pieter Myburgh, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Adriann Fondse, AJ Venter, Wickus Blaauw, Schalk Ferreira, JC Kritzinger, JD Moller, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits, Deon Fourie.
The Sharks
Coach: John Plumtree (replaces Dick Muir)
Captain: John SmitKey forward: Ryan Kankowski
Key back: Ruan Pienaar
Last year: Semifinalist
Prediction: Finalist
The squad:
Backs: Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Chris Jordaan, Luzoko Vulindlu, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Waylon Murray, Riaan Swanepoel, Francois Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Monty Dumond, Rory Kockett, Ross Cronje.
Forwards: Justin Downey, Ryan Kankowski, Jean Deysel, Nikolai Blignnout, Jacque Botes, Keegan Daniel, Skholiwe Ndlouv, Johann Mueller, Alistair Hargraves, Steven Sykes, Albert van der Berg, John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, Deon Carstens, Jannie de Plessis, Skipper Badenhorst, Bismarck de Plessis.
Cheetahs
Coach: Naka Drotske (second year)
Captain: Juan Smith
Key forward: Juan Smith
Key back: Meyer Bosman
Last year: 13th
Prediction: 14th
The squad:
Backs: Riaan Viljoen, Hennie Daniller, Bevin Fortuin, Trompie Nontshinga, Bjorn Basson, Jonyi Nokwe, Danwel Demas, Fabien Juries, Corne Uys, Piet van Zyl, Hanno Coetzee, Tewis de Bruyn, Meyer Bosman, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Sarel Pretorious.
Forwards: Kabama Floors, Hendro Scholtz, Wayne van Heerden, Juan Smith, Frans Viljoen, Henrich Brussouw, Nico Breedt, David de Villiers, Flip van der Merwe, Bees Roux, Kobus Calldo, Jean Botha, Wian de Preez, Adrian Strauss, Richard Strauss.
Lions
Coach: Eugene Eloff (third year)
Captain: Cobus Grobbelaar
Key forward: Cobus Grobbelar
Key back: Jaque Forie
Last year: 14th
Prediction: 12th
The squad:
Backs: Shandre Frolick, Louis Ludik, Ashwin Willemse, Henno Mentz, Jonnie Boshoff, Doppie La Grange, Jaque Forie, Barry Goodes, Earl Rose, Siegelaar Allister, Jano Vermaak, Chris Jonck.
Forwards: Okkie Kruger, Cobus Grobbelaar, Willem Alberts, Todd Clever, Thiliphaut Marde, Jannes Labuschagne, Anton van der Zyl, Ligtoring Landman, Heinke van der Merwe, JC Janse van Rensburgh, Willie Wepener, Gert Muller, Hans van Dyk, Lawrence Sephaka, Divian Kotze.
Bulls
Coach: Frans Ludeke (second year)
Captain: Victor Matfield
Key forward: Pierre Spies
Key back: Jaco Pretorius
Last year: 10th
Prediction: Eighth.
The sqad:
Backs: Zane Kirchner, Tiger Mangwent, Akona Ndugane, Marius Delport, Bryan Habana, JP Nel, Wayne Julies, Wynard Olivier, Jaco Pretorius, Burton Francis, Heini Adams, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard.
Forwards: Dewald Potgeiter, Pierre Spies, Jacques Burger, Deon Stegmann, Pedrie Wannenburg, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Dannie Rossouw, Wilhelm Steenkemp, Rayno Gerber, Jaco Engels, Werner Kruger, Derek Kuun, Bandise Maku, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Guthro Steenkemp.
