The Cheetahs are second on the log on 25 points and their only defeat was against the Pumas when the bulk of their squad was in Europe.

The Sharks are third on 15 points, but are the only team this season to have beaten the Pumas.

The Sharks coach Joey Mongalo has made a number of changes to this team for this week and they’re mostly rotational.

The Sharks will be fielding a new front row with Khwezi Mona, Fez Mbatha and Khutha Mchunu all starting.

The former Cheetahs loan player, Ockie Barnard starts in the second row while James Venter will lead the team. The former Cheetahs stalwart Henco Venter will start at 8th-man.

In the backline, the former Cheetah, Lionel Cronje will start at flyhalf, and he will replace another player that plied his trade in Bloemfontein in Fred Zeilinga.

The Sharks coach, Joey Mongalo, said this will certainly be their toughest challenge to date.

“Regarding facing the Cheetahs, I've named this week a Test match week,” said Mongalo.

“If you are looking at the toughest week in the Currie it is the Cheetahs away in Bloemfontein. As a team that continues to grow together, we are definitely looking forward to this challenge.

“All of these challenges are tough, but this is definitely our toughest one so far.

“We are looking forward to seeing how well everything we've done over the last couple of weeks comes together.”

Friday afternoon’s match at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 14:30.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements – 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 David Brits, 23 Cohen Jasper.

Sharks – 15 Nevaldo Fleuers, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Joshua Jonas, 12 Alwayno Potgieter, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronjé, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 James Venter (captain), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Ockie Barnard, 4 Corné Rahl, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements - 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Murray Koster, 23 Phiko Sobahle.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport