The Airlink Pumas will host the Toyota Cheetahs in the last round of the league fixtures. The two teams will fight for a place in the semi-final alongside the Fidelity ADT Lions, Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV.

The crucial “quarter-final” encounter at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit kicks off at 13:30 on Saturday and will be live on SuperSport.

 

“I’m looking forward to the game on the weekend. I was injured for two weeks, and I’m back again. I can’t wait to get onto the field, and like I said, the vibes are positive, and the vibe in the team is good. I think the mentality is right. I’m just happy to be part of it.” Said Carl Wegner, Toyota Cheetah lock.

Frans Steyn, Director of Rugby, said: “I think they’ve (Airlink Pumas) got a good team. I believe their pack is big, and they have good X-factor players. You know Jimmy will play with the emotions of the players. It will be tough, but like they say, it’s a quarter-final, and hopefully, we can come out on the other side as the winning team.”

The team was announced with some changes from last week:

Carl Wegner and Friedle Olivier are back in the starting line-up. In the backline, Evardi Boshoff returns from injury and slots in on outside centre. Munier Hartzenberg moves to the wing, and Michael Annies is the fullback.

Toyota Cheetahs

15.          Michael Annies

14.          Munier Hartzenberg

13.          Evardi Boshoff

12.          Ali Mgijima

11.          Daniel Kasende

10.          Ethan Wentzel

9.            Rewan Kruger

8.            Jeandrè Rudolph

7.            Oupa Mohoje

6.            Gideon van der Merwe

5.            Victor Sekekete (C)

4.            Carl Wegner  

3.            Robert Hunt

2.            Corne Fourie

1.            Schalk Ferreira

Reserves:

16.          Vernon Paulo

17.          Hencus van Wyk

18.          Laurence Victor  

19.          Aidon Davis

20.          Sisonke Vumazonke

21.          Marco Jansen van Vuren

22.          George Lourens

23.          Litha Nkula

The referee for the match is Christopher Allison.

Players not available:  

The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Reagan Oranje (knee), James Verity-Amm (knee), Louis van der Westhuizen (knee), Prince Nkabinde (jaw), Daniel Maartens (hand), Marko Janse van Rensburg (ankle), Neels Volschenk (ankle), Banie Britz (arm), Cameron Dawson (calf), Siba Xamlashe (hand), Reinhardt Fortuin (back) and Friedle Olivier (calf).

Ruben de Haas (USA National Team).