The Cheetahs also have the massive advantage of playing at home in six of their last eight matches.

This season they will face Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth twice in the South African derbies, and once in Bloemfontein.

The new Cheetahs head coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that he is very happy with the draw, but they will have to make use of the advantage that they have been given.

“It is an advantage to start at home. As you said, Munster, Ulster, and Munster are three of the four teams that played in the semi-finals last season’s PRO14, so it will be a tough start for us.

“Having said, that we have got the Currie Cup to prepare for the PRO14, although I won’t be involved with the coaching in the competition.

“For all the players playing tougher in the Currie Cup and hopefully doing well with also be a big advantage for us. I hope that they will be able to build a lot of confidence because the PRO14 will be starting about two to three weeks after the Currie Cup final.

“We haven’t got a lot of time to prepare, so their performance in the Currie Cup will be important to us.

“Finishing the PRO14 with six out of eight home games in that last stretch will help us in trying to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“It is still a long way to go and we need to start well. In those three games upfront at the end of September and beginning of October, it will be vital for us to get ourselves in the competition.

“If you start well you’ve always got a chance to do well in the competition.”

The Cheetahs tackle Glasgow on 27 September in the opening game of the tournament.

2019/20 Guinness PRO14 Fixtures:

27 September 2019 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Glasgow Warriors, Toyota Stadium, 19:05.

5 October 2019 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Ulster, Toyota Stadium, 18:15.

12 October 2019 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Munster, Toyota Stadium, 18:15.

26 October 2019 – Connacht vs. Toyota Cheetahs, The Sportsground, 18:15.

2 November 2019 – Scarlets vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Parc y Scarlets, 17:00.

9 November 2019 – Cardiff Blues vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Cardiff Arms Park, 19:15.

30 November 2019 – Ospreys vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Liberty Stadium, 21:35.

4 January 2020 – Zebre vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Stadio Lanfranchi, 17:00.

25 January 2020 - Southern Kings vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, TBC.

1 February 2020 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Southern Kings, Toyota Stadium, TBC.

15 February 2020 – Leinster vs. Toyota Cheetahs, RDS Arena, 16:30.

22 February 2020 – Ulster vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Kingspan Stadium, 21:35.

29 February 2020 – Dragons vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Rodney Parade, 19:15.

21 March 2020 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Leinster, Toyota Stadium, 17:00.

28 March 2020 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Edinburgh, Toyota Stadium, 17:00.

11 April 2020 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Ospreys, Toyota Stadium, 18:15.

17 April 2020 – Glasgow Warriors vs. Toyota Cheetahs, Scotstoun Stadium, 20:35.

25 April 2020 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Zebre, Toyota Stadium, 16:00.

9 May 2019 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Dragons, Toyota Stadium, 14:00

16 May 2020 – Toyota Cheetahs vs. Benetton Rugby, Toyota Stadium, 18:15.

TBC - Toyota Cheetahs vs. Southern Kings, Toyota Stadium, TBC.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport