The final match is on Saturday afternoon in Cape Town, where both DHL Western Province and the Toyota Cheetahs will be giving their all for a win to ensure they remain close to the top four.
These two sides are currently in fifth and seventh positions on the log, although the Free Staters have a game in hand, and they will be hoping for a repeat of their sixth-round clash when the men in white delivered a superb performance to win by 38-21 in Bloemfontein.
Meanwhile, Scarra Ntubeni has been cleared to play on Saturday, after the DHL Western Province hooker appeared at a judicial hearing earlier in the week following his sending off in the match against the Vodacom Bulls last Friday.
The judicial officer found that while there was foul play, it wasn’t intentional or reckless – the initial contact was below the shoulders and the lowering of the opponent’s body caused the left upper arm of Ntubeni to make contact above the shoulders (neck/chin) – and that the red card has since been expunged.
Regular DHL Western Province captain Ernst van Rhyn is back in the starting lineup. Van Rhyn will shift the flank in a much-changed pack. Dian Bleuler and Sazi Sandi join Scarra Ntubeni in the front row while Deon Fourie starts at eighthman allowing Evan Roos a break after a number of games on the bounce.
“It’s been a tough season both mentally and physically for the players and I’m hoping that allowing the likes of Neethling Fouche and Evan [Roos] to start on the bench this week will see us finish this match strong,” said DHL WP head coach John Dobson.
“It’s a good opportunity for Dian and Sazi to show what they can do at this level and it’s comforting to know that Scarra is there to provide the experience and stability.”
The backline features just a single change as Rikus Pretorius starts at 12 forming a new combination in the midfield with Juan de Jongh.
“I think this is a good matchday squad considering everything that’s been thrown at us and now it’s up to those who have put up their hands in training to translate it into a good 80 minute effort. It’s not going to be easy with the Toyota Cheetahs desperate for points but we are determined to secure victory at Newlands,” added Dobson.
Warrick Gelant is once again fit enough to take his place on the bench with Godlen Masimla and Dan du Plessis the options in the second half.
Toyota Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has made four changes to the starting line-up. In the backline, Reinhardt Fortuin and Brandon Thomson switch places with Fortuin starting on flyhalf. On the wing, Cohen Jasper replaces Rosko Specman who got a call-up from the Springbok camp.
Aranos Coetzee returns in the place of Hencus van Wyk who will be playing off the bench while Junior Pokomelac will be wearing the nr. 7.jersey. Tian Meyer and Mihlali Mosi are new to the bench.
Prediction: DHL Western Province by 15.
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 6 Nama Xaba, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 Leon Lyons, 17 JJ Kotze, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Johan du Toit, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Warrick Gelant
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Duncan Saal, 13. David Brits, 12. Siya Masuku, 11. Cohen Jasper, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C), 8. Aidon Davis, 7. Junior Pokomela, 6. Jeandre Rudolph, 5. Jean Droste, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. AluluthuTshakweni. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Victor Sekekete, 20. Mihlali Mosi, 21. Tian Meyer, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Chris Smit.