Swanepoel is set for his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hip injury and has been thrown straight into the deep end ahead of the high-stakes clash at the Mbombela Stadium.

The seasoned pivot comes into the starting line-up following an injury to Scottish international Jaco van der Walt during last week’s dramatic 32-31 SA Cup victory over the Suzuki Griquas in Bloemfontein.

Tiaan Swanepoel against the Pumas in the 2025 Currie Cup - Morgan Piek

Although Ethan Wentzel impressed after playing the entire second half against the Peacock Blues, the youngster shifts back to the bench to accommodate Swanepoel’s return.

Swanepoel will link up with scrumhalf Rewan Kruger, who delivered an outstanding performance in the nail-biting derby win over Griquas.

At the back, Clayton Blommetjies retains his place at fullback, while Cohen Jasper and Michael Annies provide plenty of attacking spark on the wings. Munier Hartzenberg and Zander du Plessis continue their midfield combination.

The loose trio remains unchanged with Sisonke Vumazonke, captain Neels Volschenk and Gideon van der Merwe expected to play a key role at the breakdown, while Victor Sekekete and Carl Wegner continue in the engine room.

In the front row, Aranos Coetzee anchors the scrum at tighthead prop alongside hooker Chucky van der Westhuizen and loosehead prop Tielman Nieuwoudt.

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn said matching the Pumas physically will be crucial if his side wants to book a place in the final.

Rewan Kruger - Morgan Piek

“We need to match the level of physicality again this week after what we produced last weekend,” said Steyn, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Thursday.

“That’s the challenge for us - getting into that same mindset and getting ourselves up for another big game.

“The Pumas are always a physical side, and if they dominate the gain line, we’ll be in trouble all day. It starts with the physical battle, and from there we need to be up for it.”

Volschenk, meanwhile, stressed that discipline will be a major factor against a Pumas side packed with dangerous goal-kickers.

“If you look at our record, the games we’ve won have come when our discipline was good,” the young skipper told OFM Sport.

“Even against Griquas on Friday night, we put ourselves under pressure with those yellow cards. They were big moments in the game. When our discipline is right, we give ourselves a much better chance of winning.

“It’s a major focus for us as a team and something we discuss every week.”

Friday’s SA Cup semi-final between the Pumas and the Cheetahs at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Pumas - 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Miyelani Ngobeni, 3 Sampie Swiegers (captain), 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Etienne Janeke

Replacements - 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Conor van Eden, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Qamani Kota

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

Morgan Piek OFM Sport