The Cheetahs go into the knockout clash as underdogs, with the Peacock Blues being the defending champions and enjoying home-ground advantage.

Free State took some valuable lessons from last week’s narrow 31–29 defeat and will be aiming for a much more clinical performance. A few injury-enforced changes have been made to the Cheetahs’ backline for the semi-final. 

Tiaan Swanepoel. Photo: Morgan Piek

Tiaan Swanepoel earns his first start, replacing the injured James Verity-Amm at fullback, while Michael Annies comes in on the wing.  Ali Mgijima will start in the number 12 jersey, while Carel-Jan Coetzee shifts to outside centre.

Up front, the pack remains unchanged following a solid showing from the forwards last week.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Coetzee said the team is excited and ready for the challenge ahead. “It’s a big deal for us – we want to go out there and give our all for the Cheetahs,” said Coetzee, who scored the side’s final try last week.

Michael Annies. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, and we’re definitely going to enjoy it again.” 

Coetzee added that keeping the Griquas’ dangerous outside backs in check would be key, and the onus is on the centres to take control. “That’s where it’s all going to start. We just need to be connected and keep an eye out for the steppers – they’re all dangerous on attack, so we have to be spot on with our defence tomorrow.”

The powerful and versatile centre said that while last week’s narrow loss was disappointing, the team draws confidence from what they did well, but ultimately, it’s Saturday’s performance that matters most.

Carel-Jan Coetzee. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Ja, I think so. There was a lucky try at the end, and sometimes things don’t go your way. But I believe we’ve got what it takes this week to go out there and smash them.”

Saturday’s semi-final between the Griquas and Cheetahs at the Suzuki Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Randt, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Athenkosi Khethani, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Tom Nel

Cheetahs - 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Michael Annies, 10 George Lourens, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Raegan Oranje, 23 Cohen Jasper

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek