Organisers have battled everything from fears over deadly heat to persistent questions about the cost of the Games and how Tokyo won its bid.
The one-off match is one of the most unique around, with fans having a say in the starting lineups of their teams.
Following their defeat to the Sharks in the Currie Cup over the weekend, Western Province centre Dan Kriel said the team still had much to work on.
Xavi Simons refused a contract worth 200,000 euros a year from Barcelona, a huge amount for a prospect from the club's training centre La Masia.
Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has joined the squad for the first time this year after spending the season with Leicester Tigers in England.
Coach Rassie Erasmus retained only three players from the side that beat the Wallabies 35-17 in their Rugby Championship opener.
Malinga, 35, is Sri Lanka's third-highest ODI wicket-taker with 335 wickets from 225 matches, behind only Chaminda Vaas (399) and Muttiah Muralitharan (523).
The Cheetahs have confirmed the signing of Maties wing Duncan Saal for the 2019-2020 Pro14 season.
The championships were the first of its kind on the continent and would see teams consist of four players and a coach/manager.
Coach Stanley Raubenheimer’s squad would gather in Pretoria on 1 August for their holding camp which would run until 7 August.
