Cheetahs have their eyes on the play-off prize

The Toyota Cheetahs are hosting the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on Sunday at Toyota Stadium and the Carling Currie Cup game kicks off at 3pm with a live broadcast on SuperSport.

Supporters can once again look forward to an exciting matchday experience. Stadium gates open at 11am, with live entertainment by Rudo Schwim from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the Castle Deck and a Golden Oldies game between Collegians Fanas and Kimberley Cowboys at 12pm.

Toyota owners can enjoy free parking in the designated Toyota parking area at Gate 1 on Att Horak Avenue. Parking is limited, and supporters are encouraged to arrive early.

During the match, five lucky supporters will have the opportunity to participate in the Kloppers Expert Kick to Win competition, where contestants attempt to land a rugby ball into one of eight bins to reveal a hidden prize.

Tickets are available online via Ticketpro or from the Toyota Stadium ticket office.

Please note that Toyota Stadium is a cash-free facility.

Suzuki Griquas and the Cheetahs currently share the top spot on 21 points, with the Airlink Pumas (17) and Kavaliers (16) occupying the remaining positions in the top four. The Fidelity ADT Lions (13), DHL Stormers XXIII (11) and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV (10) remain within striking distance, while the Vodacom Bulls XV (4) are still searching for their first win of the campaign.

A Cheetahs victory would guarantee a play-off place and keep them in contention for a home semi-final. For Boland, an upset in Bloemfontein could go a long way towards securing a top-four finish while simultaneously denting the Cheetahs' hopes of finishing first.

The Kavaliers won last year's meeting 37-35 in Wellington, while the Free Staters have the edge in terms of form over their respective previous five games in all competitions.

Coach Frans Steyn said: "The next two weeks are crucial for us. We need to deliver a proper performance this weekend. Boland will have a lot of support in Bloemfontein but we have to focus on playing good rugby and hopefully we can fill the stadium before the end of the Currie Cup."

On the team's injury list, Steyn said there are several factors to consider: "The team didn't have a proper pre-season and there are a lot of factors that can contribute to injuries. But injuries also create opportunities for other players, which keeps the competition within the team strong.

"We're looking forward to seeing some players return to the team but they will have to earn their place. When you get an opportunity, you have to take it and perform."

Players unavailable due to injury are: Vice Hofmeyr (shoulders), Ntokozo Makhaza (knee), Louis van der Westhuizen (ankle), Gideon van der Merwe (lower leg), Munier Hartzenberg (knee), Henry Immelman (knee), Ben Pitout (shoulder), Ethan Wentzel (shoulder), Juan Venter, Siya Ningiza (lower leg), Carl Wegner (calf), Marco Jansen van Vuren (chest), Daniel Maartens (chest) and Jaco van der Walt (sick).

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 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 (capt), 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.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 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 (capt), 4 Johnré Stopforth; 3 Mthokozisi Gumede, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Jeandre Leonard, 20 Michael Benadie, 21 Thurlow Marsh, 22 Bentley Geldenhuys, 23 James Tedder

Toyota Cheetahs v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - Sunday @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein (3pm)

Referee: Morne Ferreira

TV: SuperSport