The sixth-round encounter is the final match of the round, and with the competition finely poised, there is plenty on the line for both sides.

For the Cheetahs, a bonus-point victory would take them to 26 points and could, depending on the points difference, see them sneak into the top spot. More importantly, though, victory would guarantee the Free Staters a home semi-final.

Hawies Fourie. Photo: Morgan Piek

Even a defeat would not necessarily end their hopes. If the Cheetahs secure a losing bonus point, they will still book their place in the semi-finals.

For Boland, a five-point haul would put them firmly in contention for a home semi-final. However, they would then need to back that up with another victory when they host Suzuki Griquas in Wellington next weekend.

The Cavaliers arrive in Bloemfontein with renewed confidence after beating the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend. They will also take heart from their recent record against the Cheetahs, having established themselves as something of a bogey side for the Free Staters with three consecutive wins over them.

Boland coach Hawies Fourie knows that Sunday’s clash will be a completely different challenge.

“It’s a very close competition this year, except for the Bulls,” said Fourie.

“Everyone else is still in the running. If you look at the log, it’s quite clustered, so it’s an important game for both teams.

“I’m sure it will bring out the best in both of us, and it will be a very entertaining game tomorrow.”

Heiko Pohlmann. Photo: Morgan Piek

With the semi-final race so tight, Fourie stressed there is little room for error and his players will need to arrive with the right mindset.

“Everyone, all of those teams can still qualify. The Sharks, the Lions, Western Province, ourselves,” the former Cheetahs coach added.

“And the Cheetahs have got one foot in the door already. So there’s a lot at stake for us.”

Former Free State captain Pote Human. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s important for us to play with the right mindset, pitch up here in Bloem, know what we want to do. We prepared well during the week, so I’m confident that we will be up there tomorrow.”

While the win over the Lions has given the Cavaliers a much-needed boost, Fourie admits they cannot afford another slow start against a Cheetahs side capable of making them pay.

“I was really disappointed the way we played against the Pumas and the Sharks – we let ourselves down in both those games.”

Former Cheetahs back, Chris Smit. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Last week, we didn’t start well at all against the Lions, but the character and the guts we’ve shown to come back in the last 60 minutes of that game say a lot about the team, how desperate we are to do well again and get into another semi-final.

“That brought the best out of us, but we can’t start the game tomorrow against the Cheetahs the way we started against the Lions.”

Boland have made one late change to their starting XV, with Heiko Pohlmann moving into the front row while Mthokozisi Gumede drops to the replacements bench.

Boland captain Marlyn Williams. Photo: Morgan Piek

With the Currie Cup semi-final picture still wide open, Sunday’s encounter promises to be another intense battle between two teams with plenty to play for.

Kick-off at the Toyota Stadium is at 15:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi

Replacements - 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Pierre Uys, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Jooste Nel

Boland Cavaliers - 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Cornell Engelbrecht, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams (captain), 4 Johnré Stopforth, 3 Heiko Pohlmann, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak

Replacements - 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Mthokozisi Gumede, 19 Jeandré Leonard, 20 Michael Benadie, 21 Thurlow Marsh, 22 Bentley Geldenhuys, 23 James Tedder

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg