Originally scheduled to be played in Amsterdam, the clash has been moved around 90km south to ’s-Hertogenbosch after severe snowfall rendered the Dutch capital’s rugby fields unplayable. The late venue switch has also meant the match will be played behind closed doors, with Dukes Rugby Club unable to accommodate spectators at such short notice due to logistical constraints.

Ulster are familiar foes for the Free Staters. In fact, the Belfast outfit were the Cheetahs’ first-ever opponents in the Guinness PRO14 back in 2017.  The Irish province arrive in the Netherlands in impressive form and will pose a stern test, although the unusual setting and wintery conditions could level the playing field somewhat.

Niel Jordaan captained the Cheetahs in their 2017 Guinness PRO14 opener against Ulster in Belfast. Photo: INPHO/Darren Kidd

Cheetahs captain and hooker Chucky van der Westhuizen told OFM Sport  supporters should not expect the visitors to unleash their trademark high-risk, expansive game, with pragmatism likely to take centre stage.

“We definitely prepared over the last two weeks for wet conditions. Our game plan is built around that and we trained with wet balls, so that part won’t be an issue,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“The cold is obviously something you can’t control, but we’ll focus on what we can control, play to the best of our ability and manage the conditions as well as possible.”

The Cheetahs head into round three still searching for their first victory after defeats to Exeter Chiefs in Devon and Stade Français in Amsterdam. 

While the results did not go their way, there were encouraging spells in both matches where the South Africans looked well in control, only to be undone by opponents finishing stronger in the closing stages.

Van der Westhuizen admitted closing out matches has been a major focus in camp over the past fortnight.

“We’ve spoken a lot over the last two weeks about delivering an 80-minute performance,” the Namibian international explained.

Aranos Coetzee is one of very few Cheetahs players to have previously faced Ulster. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’ve shown patches of really good rugby, but then we have lapses in concentration and that’s when teams score easy tries.

“At this level, teams punish even the smallest errors and suddenly you find yourself behind the poles. Against Stade Français, for example, we conceded three tries in about six minutes, and that makes things very difficult if you’re not switched on for the full 80.”

Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup encounter at Dukes Rugby Club in ’s-Hertogenbosch is scheduled to kick-off at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg