The Pumas will be heading to the City of Roses with a goal of securing a maximum of five points in order to keep their semi-final dream alive.

The second placed Cheetahs in their turn will want to bounce back from their 46-18 defeat at the hands of the Griquas last week.

Last week the Cheetahs were dominated in all aspects of the game by a determined and fired-up Griquas in Kimberley as they increased their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.

It was especially in the physicality that the Cheetahs were outmuscled and the assistant coach, Charl Strydom, told OFM Sport that this is where the Cheetahs need to improve.

“First of all - physically they outpowered us and that was disappointing from our side,” said Strydom.

“It's not going to get any easier. We know what the Pumas are all about and this week they are going to bring the physicality. That's the one department that we really let ourselves down in.

“Everything they did was too quick for us and we just couldn't stop their momentum and their first phases.

“That is the message for now as we prepare for the game.”

The Cheetahs will also be forced to reshuffle their backline for the game as the two-time World Cup winner, Frans Steyn, has been side-lined following a hamstring injury he sustained early in the first half in Kimberley.

Friday evening’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport