The men from the Lowveld finished second on the log after the round-robin stage, and this will mark the third successive year that they host a semi-final on home soil.

The Cheetahs travel to Mpumalanga brimming with confidence after becoming the first team this season to beat the Suzuki Griquas. Last week’s thrilling 32-31 victory in Bloemfontein not only ended the Griquas’ unbeaten run, but also secured the Free Staters’ place in this year’s Currie Cup after they came agonisingly close to missing out.

Gustav du Rand - Morgan Piek

The Pumas, meanwhile, have suffered just one defeat this season - a 44-34 loss to the Griquas in Kimberley a few weeks ago.

The last meeting between the Cheetahs and Pumas came in round three of the SA Cup, but the clash was abandoned after just 34 minutes due to lightning in the vicinity of Toyota Stadium. When the game was suspended for a second time and eventually called off, the Pumas had edged ahead thanks to a Clinton Swart penalty.

While Friday’s clash is technically a fresh contest, there is a definite sense of unfinished business between the two sides. The Pumas have named arguably their strongest possible side for the occasion and one thing is certain - they will bring the physicality that has become their trademark this season. However, the Peacock Blues showed last week that the Pumas’ brute force can be matched and neutralised.

The fiery Pumas hooker, Gustav du Rand, who scored their try in the abandoned Bloemfontein clash, told OFM Sport that they are expecting a fierce battle and are ready for whatever the determined Cheetahs throw at them.

“We are very excited for this weekend's game, especially after our last encounter was cut short due to bad weather,” said Du Rand.

“I'd also say it's a bonus that we get to play at home and all our local Pumas supporters can come out in their numbers and support the team.

Gideon van der Merwe - Morgan Piek

“This battle will be very physical upfront, but luckily coach Jimmy Stonehouse has trained us hard enough to get us here and I've no doubt that it will carry us through the semi-final on Friday evening.”

The last time the Pumas hosted the Cheetahs in Nelspruit, they claimed an entertaining 46-38 victory during last year’s SA Cup. The Cheetahs, however, responded in the 2025 Currie Cup with a convincing 42-25 win in Bloemfontein.

Friday night’s semi-final 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 André 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