It is more than just a derby for the under-pressure Cheetahs - it is a fight for survival. There may be no bigger challenge than taking on a confident and unbeaten Griquas side that has named its strongest possible team for the clash.

The Cheetahs, however, have received a timely boost ahead of the must-win encounter, with Zander du Plessis and Munier Hartzenberg both returning from injury to start in midfield. The pair, who both previously represented the Griquas, last featured for the Free State in the 52-19 victory over Eastern Province at Shimla Park.

Du Plessis, who is equally comfortable at flyhalf, will start at inside centre, while the electric Hartzenberg slots in at outside centre. Midfield defence and cohesion have been areas of concern for the Cheetahs in recent weeks, making the return of the experienced duo a major positive.

Jaco van der Walt also returns to the starting XV at flyhalf, with Ethan Wentzel shifting to the bench. Van der Walt will combine with Rewan Kruger in the halfbacks.

Up front, captain Chucky van der Westhuizen once again starts at hooker, while the experienced Aranos Coetzee anchors the scrum at tighthead prop. Carl Wegner and Victor Sekekete pack down in the second row, while Gideon van der Merwe, Neels Volschenk and Sisonke Vumazonke complete the loose trio.

Zander du Plessis in actiona against the Boland Cavaliers - Morgan Piek

Vumazonke told OFM Sport that the Cheetahs need no extra motivation ahead of the crunch encounter and that the squad will fight for one another.

“It’s a really big one for us. Going into this game, nobody needs to lift us or motivate us because we understand the situation we’re in at the moment,” said the former Grey College captain.

“It’s a massive moment for the team, and the biggest thing for us is sticking together after a tough few weeks.

“The past few weeks have been difficult. We went to Kempton Park and came back with a loss, and then we had to find our feet again against Border. In games like that you have to stick to your processes and not get too comfortable, so staying together as a group will mean a lot for us this weekend.

“It doesn’t matter who wears the jersey because everyone is playing for the union, and a lot of the guys genuinely love this place. Regardless of injuries, everybody understands the responsibility that comes with the jersey. There are also a lot of youngsters coming through and getting opportunities, so we know what it takes to compete in games like these.

“The Griquas won the Currie Cup last year, which puts them right at the top, so the guys are really amped up for this weekend. Big games like these are what we want as Free Staters because we always believe we’ll find a way.

“These are the games we always look forward to. Last year, in matches against Georgia, you could see how the guys lifted their hands and really gave it everything. That’s the type of occasion that brings the best out of us.”

Friday night’s much-anticipated derby between the Cheetahs and Griquas at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Michael Annies, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Neels Volschenk, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt

Replacements - 16 Juan Smal, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 John-Kelly Onkonko, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Carel Jan Coetzee, 23 Ethan Wentzel

Griquas – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Damian Markus, 12 Sako Makata, 11 Connor Mahoney, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Phumzile Maqondwana, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements – 16 Janco Us, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Carel van der Merwe, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Liam Koen, Zane Bester

Morgan Piek OFM Sport