The exciting chase for Carling Currie Cup playoff places will gather pace this weekend with the staging matches in Bloemfontein between log leaders Toyota Cheetahs host third-placed Cell C Sharks @ 14h30
The early Saturday afternoon clash in Bloemfontein is important for both teams. The third-placed Cell C Sharks (24 points from nine games), will be keen to create a bit of breathing space between them and the chasing pack on the log.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Cheetahs will be confident of bagging another home win on the back of that hard-fought 35-26 bonus-point away success over the Sigma Lions. That was their eighth win in a row which increased the Free Staters’ current tally to 36 points – just one behind the defending champions, the Vodacom Bulls, who have played one game more.
A glance at the previous five meetings between these rivals reveals a 3-2 advantage to the Free Staters, including a 29-12 victory in Durban two months ago, while the KwaZulu-Natal outfit was on top 47-30 when they last met in Bloemfontein in July 2021.
Toyota Cheetahs' head coach, Hawies Fourie made several changes to the starting line-up.
Rosko Specman makes a welcome return at the wing, replacing Duncan Saal while Siya Masuku returns to flyhalf in the only other change at the back.
Up front Schalk Ferreira (loosehead) comes in while Jeandrè Rudolph gets a deserved rest with Andisa Ntsila replacing him on the side of the scrum.
Cell C Sharks Currie Cup head coach Etienne Fynn has made a number of changes to last week’s side, naming a new front row of Khwezi Mona, Fez Mbatha and Lourens Adriaanse for Dian Bleuler, Kerron van Vuuren and Wiehahn Herbst. In the second row, Emile van Heerden replaces Ruben van Heerden while Dylan Richardson takes over from James Venter and Mpilo Gumede comes in for Sikhumbuzo Notshe. There is just one change to the backline, where Murray Koster replaces Ethan Fisher at the centre.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Brits, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Rosko Spekman, 10. Siya Masuku/Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (c), 8. Mihlali Mosi, 7. Andisa Ntsila, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete, 4. Aidon Davis, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Cameron Dawson, 17. Louis vd Westhuizen, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Ockie Barnard, 20. Jeandrè Rudolph, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Reinhardt Fortuin, 23. Chris Smit.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Nevaldo Fleurs, 14. Marnus Potgieter, 13. Jeremy Ward (captain), 12. Murray Koster, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. Dylan Richardson, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Emile van Heerden, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Blaine Golden, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 22. Joaquin Bonilla, 23. Ethan Fisher.