Both sides are targeting a place in the semi-finals, with the winner standing a strong chance of hosting one at home.

The Cheetahs have opted for a largely settled squad, but there’s a debut at tighthead prop for John-Kelly Okonkwo, who will run out for the Free Staters for the first time. Franco Smith Jr once again gets the nod at flyhalf, while seasoned campaigner Clayton Blommetjies starts at fullback.

In the midfield, Marco Jansen van Vuren returns after missing last week to attend his sister’s wedding, and he’ll partner Carel-Jan Coetzee in the centres. Up front, the only other change is at loosehead prop, with Stormers-bound Hencus van Wyk returning to the starting line-up.

On the bench, Pierre Uys is back after recovering from the concussion that sidelined him for the past couple of matches.

The Griquas have had the upper hand over the Cheetahs in recent seasons, and their flanker Gideon van der Merwe told OFM Sport that the fixture always carries extra meaning against his former team.

Pierre Uys. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s definitely a bit more personal for me – I don’t like losing to them,” said Van der Merwe.

“The games we’ve lost against them felt very personal, and I didn’t enjoy it one bit. I take a lot of pride in playing against the Cheetahs. It’s always a great challenge and a good measure of where I am.”

Van der Merwe added that Griquas will look to draw confidence from their strong start against the Lions last week, as well as the way they managed to close that game out.

“I think our first half was excellent, but this week will be different. It’s the first time in two years that the Cheetahs are actually playing here again in the Currie Cup,” the hard-working loosie said.

“The matches in Kimberley and Bultfontein counted as away games for us. Playing at home in Bloem should make a difference, and hopefully it will tip things slightly in our favour.”

Friday’s central derby between the Cheetahs and Griquas kicks off at 17:00 at the Toyota Stadium.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith Jr, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk.

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Michael Annies.

Griquas – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements – 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek