The league phase of the competition comes to a conclusion in Pretoria at 19:05 (SA Time) where the Vodacom Bulls, who are out of the playoff race, will be playing for pride against the Toyota Cheetahs, who need one log point to secure a semi-final.
The Bulls have only won one of their last five games, while the Cheetahs' recent 40-10 loss to Griquas was their first defeat in five games. These two played to a thrilling 34-34 draw last August in Bloemfontein, while the Free Staters have won three of the last five meetings between them.
By the time they run out at Loftus Versfeld, the Cheetahs will know exactly where they stand in terms of semi-final hosting rights, with any spot in the top five still a possibility, depending on other results.
Vodacom Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann, who has stepped in to manage the transition between the Currie Cup and Vodacom URC, has loaded the side with URC veterans, among them Johan Grobbelaar, Embrose Papier, David Kriel and Devon Williams.
Among the more interesting selections are dynamic lock JF van Heerden, just 21 and a hulking 2,01m figure with real potential. Jan Serfontein, the accomplished Springbok centre, also pulls on a Bulls jersey – for the first time in eight years – on his return to the capital.
Keagan Johannes will direct affairs in the No. 10 jersey, while under-20 star Cheswill Jooste gets another opportunity to stake a claim for URC action.
The bench has real bite too, with the likes of Nama Xaba, Cobus Wiese and Stedman Gans to call on.
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 twelve with Marco Janse van Vuren in the number 13 jersey. Ali Mgijima will provide cover on the bench. Pierre-Raymond Uys return to play and will be on the reserve.
Teams:
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Alfonso Isaacs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier,8 Abri van der Westhuizen, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Alu Tshekwani. Replacements: 16 Juann Else,17 Ruan Swart, 18 Francois Klopper,19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet,22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stedman Gans.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Jandre Nel, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Niewoudt , 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Banie Britz, 23 Michael Annies.