This weekend’s action kicks off on Friday when log leaders Toyota Cheetahs host third-placed Suzuki Griquas in a Central Derby at 17:00 (SA Time) in Bloemfontein.
While the weekend's four fixtures are all crucial for the teams fighting for a place in the semi-finals, or those seeking redemption, the Toyota Cheetahs versus Suzuki Griquas meeting today in Bloemfontein is arguably the match of the round, featuring the first and third-placed teams.
Success for the Cheetahs would almost certainly secure them a home semi-final. For Griquas, a victory would catapult them into contention for a top-two finish and a coveted home playoff. Both teams are in excellent form, and this clash is expected to be a tight, high-stakes affair.
The two rivals have each won four of their last games, while they are also neck-and-neck in the five previous meetings between them. Each has won twice in this fixture, with the Griquas victorious in their last meeting in this competition, played last August, by 44-31 after their 29-29 draw in May 2023.
Toyota Cheetahs’ head coach Frans Steyn made four changes to the starting line-up, with Cameron Dawson and Hencus van Wyk switching places. John-Kelly Okonkwo will be making his debut for the Toyota Cheetahs with Frankie Dos Reis on reserve. Carel-Jan Coetzee moves to the number 12 centre with Marco Janse van Vuren in the number 13 jersey. Ali Mgijima will provide cover on the bench. Pierre-Raymond Uys returns to play and will be on the bench.
Suzuki Griquas has made three changes to the starting line-up. All the changes were made upfront. Malembe Mpofu replaces Derik Pretorius, who moves to the bench, while Carl Els moves from the back of the scrum to replace Marco de Witt at seven. De Witt moves to the bench. In the final change, Gustav Erlank replaces Carl Else at the back of the scrum.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 9 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Juan Venter, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Michael Annies.
Suzuki Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombi Zwelenedaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 2 Cebo Dlamini (c), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, Connor Mahoney.