The Free Staters were hammered 52-26 by the Pumas in Nelspruit last weekend, with coach Frans Steyn describing the result as a timely reality check.

Now, with home advantage, several key players returning and a place in the Currie Cup final at stake, the Cheetahs have the perfect opportunity to turn the tables.

Only captain Neels Volschenk and lock Carl Wegner retain their places in the starting pack from the side that faced the Pumas in the Lowveld. One of the biggest boosts is the return of hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg following his two-match suspension.

Zander du Plessis has been a big player for the Cheetahs throughout the Currie Cup - Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs have been stretched by injuries in the hooking department, making Janse van Rensburg’s return particularly important ahead of a knockout clash where set-piece accuracy could prove decisive.

Simon Miller also returns at flank after earning plenty of praise from Steyn during the week, while experienced lock Victor Sekekete has been restored to the starting XV.

There is further encouragement in the backline, with inside centre Zander du Plessis recovering from a hamstring injury and Jaco van der Walt returning at flyhalf after illness.

Du Plessis has been one of the Cheetahs’ brighter performers during the competition and impressed in his previous outing against Boland. His return comes at an ideal time as the Free Staters look to inject more attacking spark into their midfield.

The other backline change comes at fullback. Clayton Blommetjies suffered a thigh injury during last weekend’s defeat and was replaced by Cohen Jasper in the closing stages. Jasper now gets the nod to start in the semi-final.

The Cheetahs will have to find far better answers to a Pumas attack that put 52 points on the board just seven days ago. They will also need to keep a particularly close eye on flyhalf Clinton Swart, who played a key role in the Pumas’ dominant display.

Marko Janse van Rensburg is back from his two-match suspension - Morgan Piek

And then there is Faf de Klerk. The former Pumas star and Springbok scrumhalf brings a wealth of experience and big-match pedigree to the Cheetahs’ ranks. The Free Staters will be hoping he can have a similar influence to the one Ruan Pienaar had when the Cheetahs overcame the Pumas in the 2023 Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein.

There will also be a milestone moment for Sisonke Vumazonke, with the former Grey College captain set to make his 50th appearance for the Cheetahs when he comes off the bench.

Volschenk knows the Cheetahs will have to produce a vastly improved performance after admitting that last weekend’s showing was simply not good enough.

Simon Miller is back in the starting XV - Morgan Piek

“Look, obviously, like Coach Frans said, our egos took a knock,” said Volschenk.

“It’s one thing to lose, but I think the manner in which we lost the game is what hurts us the most. Like Coach Frans said, we need to man up, front up and go from there.

“But look, the mood is obviously positive. It’s in the past and there’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s about being ready and being a lot better than we were the previous weekend, because I know the Pumas are also going to be better than they were against us last weekend.

“So, definitely, we’re looking forward to it. It’s a semi-final, and the fact that it’s here makes a huge difference. We’re ready.”

Former Grey captain Sisonke Vumazonke is set for his 50th Cheetahs cap - Morgan Piek

The weather could add another layer of intrigue to Sunday’s semi-final, with wet conditions and rain forecast for Bloemfontein.

That could put an even greater premium on territorial kicking, discipline and the battle at set piece, while potentially taking some of the sting out of the expansive attacking rugby that served the Pumas so well in Nelspruit.

With a home crowd behind them, key players back in the mix and a place in the final on the line, the Cheetahs have everything to play for.

Sunday’s Currie Cup semi-final between the Cheetahs and Pumas at Toyota Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 15:30.

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tebogo Nkosi

Replacements - 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Litha Nkula, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuuren

Pumas - 15 Jay-Cee Nel, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 André Goedhals, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Chyte van Zyl, 1 Zukisa Sali

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Stephan Krugel, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Ntsika Fisanti, 22 Tino Swanepoel, 23 Russwill Fredericks

Morgan Piek OFM Sport