The Toyota Free State will host the Airlink Pumas on Friday in Bloemfontein at 18h00. The Cheetahs already secured a home final whereas the Pumas must win this match to stay in the race for a spot in the playoffs.
Both the Toyota Cheetahs and Airlink Pumas tasted defeat during last weekend’s dramatic round. The side from Bloemfontein saw their nine-game winning run clipped by Windhoek Draught Griquas, while the 14-man Airlink Pumas lost 31-26 in Pretoria, where the Vodacom Bulls staged a successful second-half comeback.
The Free Staters rule this fixture having won four of their previous five – the latest by a margin of 28-17 in February when they met in Nelspruit. The men from Mpumalanga’s only success during this time was last August, a 28-19 win in Nelspruit.
Toyota Cheetahs' head coach Hawies Fourie announced his line-up with several changes made. Captain Ruan Pienaar will play his 50th match for the Toyota Cheetahs.
Cohen Jasper replaces Clayton Blommetjies at fullback with Robert Ebersohn replacing David Brits at the outside centre. Chris Smit replaces the injured Frans Steyn at inside centre and Reinhardt Fortuin comes in at flyhalf off the bench
Upfront, Jeandre Rudolph comes in at number eight while Aidon Davis replaces Andisa Ntsila on the side of the scrum. Rynier Bernardo replaces Aidon Davis who moved to the side of the scrum. Louis vd Westhuizen returns as the hooker while Schalk vd Merwe replaces Cameron Dawson on the loosehead.
Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has named his side to travel to Bloemfontein.
Two changes were made to the starting line-up, with one being a positional change and all the changes were made in the backline.
At the back, Alwayno Visagie is replaced by Sebastian de Klerk who moves from the wing to the outside centre with Jade Stighling who comes in on the wing.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis vd Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Marnus van der Merwe, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Marne Coetzee, 19. Ockie Barnard, 20. Andisa Ntsila, 21. Mihlali Mosi, 22. Rewan Kruger, 23. David Brits.
Airlink Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Sebastian de Klerk, 12. Eddie Fouche, 11. Jade Stighling, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Chriswill September, 8. Willie Engelbrecht (c), 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Shane Kirkwood, 4. Deon Slabbert, 3. IG Prinsloo, 2. Eduan Swart, 1. Corne Fourie. Replacements: 16. Llewellyn Classen, 17. Dewald Maritz, 18. Simon Raw, 19. Kwanda Dimaza, 20. Andre Fouche, 21. Giovan Snyman, 22. Ali Mgijima, 23. Diego Apollis.