It’s a must-win encounter for both sides, and there’s no doubt they’ll come out firing as they chase five valuable log points in this key round of the competition. The Cheetahs have been forced into a few injury-related changes, while also using the opportunity to give some players much-needed game time.

The most notable shift sees flanker Neels Volschenk take over the captaincy, while also packing down on the side of the scrum.

In the backline, De-an Ackermann gets the nod again at outside centre, with the powerful Jooste Nel slotting in at inside centre. Rewan Kruger earns his first start of the season at scrumhalf and will link up with Jaco van der Walt as the halfback pairing.

Up front, Mihali Mosi starts at 8th-man, while the live-wire breakdown specialist Daniel Maartens returns from concussion to take his place on the flank. Former Griffon Curtley Thomas lines up in the second row alongside Carl Wegner.

In the front row, Marko Janse van Rensburg starts at hooker in the absence of Chucky van der Westhuizen, who is unavailable due to family commitments, with Juan Smal providing cover off the bench.

Rewan Kruger. Photo: Morgan Piek

Former Griffons centre Carel-Jan Coetzee has been included among the replacements, as the Cheetahs opt for a six-two split on the bench.

Janse van Rensburg told OFM Sport this is a crucial game for them as they seek to build momentum and set the tone for the remainder of their campaign.

“This is the first of four away games for us, and it’s a really important one to start well,” said Janse van Rensburg.

“We want to build momentum, create continuity in the team, and really get things going. There’s definitely pressure on us sitting fifth on the log, especially as we’re building towards a home semi-final, so this is a big match to kick things off.

“We had a bit of a setback earlier in the campaign – we played Boland first up, and then the Pumas game was washed out, which hurt us in terms of log points and position.

Carel-Jan Coetzee. Photo: Morgan Piek

“That’s why this block of four away games is so important for us. We’re targeting 20 points. A trip to SWD is always tough, especially against a side with a new coaching setup, but our focus is on starting strong, building momentum, and staying disciplined.”

Neels Volschenk. Photo: Morgan Piek

Janse van Rensburg, one of the more seasoned campaigners in the squad, added he has full confidence in the 23-year-old Volschenk leading the side in this crunch fixture. “Neels is a young player, but he’s a natural leader,” he said.

“He’s one of the hardest-working guys in the squad and only knows one way – full effort. He might be quiet, but when he speaks, people listen. More importantly, he leads through his actions.”

Saturday’s big Free State derby at the DTI Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

Griffons – 15 Dehovine Johannes, 14 Chardrack Tshimanga, 13 Ngia Selengbe, 12 Jandré de Beer, 11 Chris Hollis, 10 Duan Pretorius (captain), 9 Keegan Schaefer, 8 Calla Pienaar, 7 JAred Kruger, 6 Mingo Piti, 5 Sergio Moreira, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Hlumza Nondonga, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Xolani Jacobs.

Replacements – 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Justion Forwood, 18 Cassie Botes, 19 Jack Steyn, 20 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 21 Armand Maritz, 22 Daylon Myners, 23 Clive Kruger.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 De-an Ackerman, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Michael Annies, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Neels Volschenk (captain), 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt.

Replacements – 16 Juan Smal, 17 Frankie Dos Reis, 18 John Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Marco Janse van Vuren, 23 Carel-Jan Coetzee.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm