Cheetahs have their eyes on the prize

The Toyota Cheetahs are travelling to Pretoria to take on the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday at 7.05pm at Loftus Versfeld for a vital Carling Currie Cup clash. The action will be live on SuperSport.

The league phase of the competition concludes in Pretoria, where the Bulls, who have been eliminated from the play-off race, will play for pride against the Cheetahs.

The Bulls have won only one of their last five games, while the Cheetahs' recent 40-10 loss to Griquas marked their first defeat in five games. These two played to a thrilling 34-34 draw last August in Bloemfontein, while the Free Staters have won three of the last five meetings between them.

By the time they run out at Loftus Versfeld, the Cheetahs will know exactly where they stand in terms of semi-final hosting rights, with any spot in the top five still a possibility, depending on other results.

According to SA Rugby Communications, a bonus-point win for the Lions would catapult them into contention for a top two finish and a home semi-final if the Kavaliers stumble in Cape Town. If the Pumas secure a bonus-point win against the Sharks XV, a Lions defeat would see them drop out of the top four, ending their season. Although Griquas hold a slight edge in this match-up, with three wins from their last five encounters, they'll be looking for their first win at Ellis Park in three visits.

Vodacom Blue Bulls starting XV: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Alfonso Isaacs; 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Abri van der Westhuizen, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt); 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar; 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Alu Tshekwani. Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Ruan Swart, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stedman Gans.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper; 10 Franco Smith, 9 Jandre Nel; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Raymond Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Banie Britz, 23 Michael Annies.