Cheetahs ring the changes
The Cheetahs welcome the Sharks to Bloemfontein for what is ultimately a knock-out encounter, with the winner adding their name as the final semifinalist.
Neil Jordaan replaces De Wet Kruger at No.8, with the latter missing out on the match altogether. Johannes Prinsloo has been declared fit and will be replacing Gerhard Olivier on flank, while Olivier shifts to the bench.
Hooker Reniel Hugo moves to the bench to make way for Jacques du Toit with Willem Serfontein left out of the team. Armandt Koster makes his way back into the starting XV.
Neil Rautenbach shifts to the bench, replacing Chase Morison while BG Uys and Teunis Nieuwoudt switch places with Uys in the starting XV and Nieuwoudt on the bench.
The Cheetahs are currently in fourth place, just two points above the Sharks and victory will secure them the final semifinal spot and will see them head to Johannesburg to the face the Loins in the knock-out encounter.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 BG Uys.
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Teunis Nieuwoudt, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Ruan van Rensburg, 22 Niel Marais, 23 AJ Coertzen, 24 Willem Serfontein.
Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: Free State Rugby Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden, Rico van der Hoven
TMO: JJ Wagner
