The Toyota Cheetahs are hosting the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on Sunday, 23 August at Toyota Stadium. The Carling Currie Cup game kicks off at 15:00 SASST.
Griquas and the Toyota Cheetahs currently share the top spot on 21 points, with the Pumas (17) and Boland Cavaliers (16) occupying the remaining positions in the top four. The Lions (13), Stormers XXIII (11) and Sharks XV (10) remain within striking distance, while the Bulls XV (4) are still searching for their first win of the campaign.
A Toyota Cheetahs victory would guarantee a playoff place and keep them in contention for a home semi-final. For Boland, an upset in Bloemfontein could go a long way towards securing a top-four finish while simultaneously denting the Cheetahs' hopes of finishing first.
The Kavaliers won last year's meeting 37-35 in Wellington, while the Free Staters have the edge in terms of form over their respective previous five games in all competitions.
Coach Frans Steyn said: "The next two weeks are crucial for us. We need to deliver a proper performance this weekend. Boland will have a lot of support in Bloemfontein, but we have to focus on playing good rugby, and hopefully we can fill the stadium before the end of the Currie Cup."
On the team's injury list, Steyn said there are several factors to consider: "The team didn't have a proper pre-season, and there are a lot of factors that can contribute to injuries. But injuries also create opportunities for other players, which keeps the competition within the team strong."
"We're looking forward to seeing some players return to the team, but they will have to earn their place. When you get an opportunity, you have to take it and perform."
Toyota Cheetahs: 1 Tebogo Nkosi, 2 Juan Smal, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 4 Simon Miller, 5 Victor Sekekete, 6 Ramon Uys, 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 8 Neels Volschenk (c), 9 Faf de Klerk, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 12 Zander du Plessis, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 14 Michael Annies, 15 Clayton Blommetjies. Replacements: 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Pierre Uys, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Jooste Nel.
Players unavailable due to injury: Vice Hofmeyr (shoulders), Ntokozo Makhaza (knee), Louis van der Westhuizen (ankle), Gideon van der Merwe (lower leg), Munier Hartzenberg (knee), Henry Immelman (knee), Ben Pitout (shoulder), Ethan Wentzel (shoulder), Juan Venter, Siya Ningiza (lower leg), Carl Wegner (calf), Daniel Maartens (chest), Marco Jansen van Vuren (sternum/chest), and Jaco van der Walt (sick).
Marco Janse van Rensburg (Red card - two weeks).