The Cheetahs will field six changes to their team, while the Lions in their turn will start with the former Cheetahs winger, Rabz Maxwane, and flyhalf, Fred Zeilinga.

For the Cheetahs, the 20-year-old loan player from the Sharks, Ockie Barnard, will be on the deal when he comes off the bench.

For the Cheetah's captain, Ruan Pienaar, the breakdown will be an important battle.

“The Lions are still a really quality outfit. Obviously, they have gone through a bit of a difficult patch, we expect a strong team to play in Bloemfontein.

“They have a similar brand of rugby to ours. It's exciting, they like to keep the ball in hand and they are difficult, especially off turnovers.

“It will be tough for us but the boys have trained really well over the last two weeks and they are ready for the 80-minutes on Saturday.”

Tomorrow’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00, while at 14:30 the Tafel Lager Griquas host the Bulls in Kimberley.

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Jeandré Rudolph, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Aidon Davis, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements – 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Beertjie van Vuuren, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 David Brits.

Lions - 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 James Mollentze, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Jurich Claasens, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Simon Dinisio, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith

Replacements - 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Chergin Fillies, 19 Izan Esterhuizen, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Ginter Smuts, 22 James Tedder, 23 Luke Rossouw.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport