The fiery eighth man, Jasper Wiese, as well as the lock Walt Steenkamp and the centre, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, will be playing their last game in the famous white jersey.

Wiese is heading to the Leicester Tigers, Steenkamp to the Bulls and Janse van Rensburg to the NEC Green Rockets in Japan.

Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that all three want to go out with a bang.

“It’s sad to lose guys like Benhard, Jasper and Walt.

“They gave us good service over the last two or three seasons. Benhard and Walt were starting players for many years, and Jasper came into his own when Henco (Venter) left us to go to the Sharks last year.

“He is a really good performer and we are sad to lose them all. That is the way it is, and we are used to it.

“It will give an opportunity to other players and they will have to make the step-up.”

The trio is all expected to be in the starting XV when Fourie names his match-day squad on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, four Lions players have been withdrawn after testing positive for Covid-19.

Saturday's battle of the big cats at Ellis Park kicks off at 16:30.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport