The two sides are brimful of talent with the Cheetahs able to draw on the reliable boot of flyhalf Willem de Waal and a backline that have speed and skill aplenty.

Bulky centre Hendrik Meyer has played a key role in getting his side across the gain line, allowing wings Gavin Passens and Eddie Fredericks to exploit space out wide.

The Sharks have a good balance between youth and experience with seasoned campaigners like Johan Ackermann, Adi Jacobs and Gcobani Bobo going into battle with young guns such as the exciting Rory Kockott at scrumhalf, lock Steven Sykes and number eight Ryan Kankowski.

Despite their loss to Vodacom Western Province at the weekend the Cheetahs hold a six point advantage over the second-placed Sharks, with two rounds of league fixtures remaining. The Sharks, in turn, hold an 11-point cushion over the chasing pack which means they cannot be overtaken.

The Cheetahs won 42-22 in Durban earlier in the season and they will start as favourites in Bloemfontein. A win on Saturday will not only restore the Cheetahs’ momentum following their first loss of the season but will give them the reassurance that they will have home advantage if they qualify for the October 27 final.

The Sharks will have been boosted by their win over the Vodacom Blue Bulls last weekend and they will be motivated by the fact that they could still finish first and boost their chances of a home final.

An interesting battle is developing amongst the chasing pack with four teams still having a realistic chance of grabbing one of the two available places. The Blue Bulls and the Lions have the inside track whilst WP and Wildeklawer Griquas may have to benefit from the misfortune of others.

The Blue Bulls, who are placed third just a point ahead of the Lions, travel to Wellington on Saturday to face the Boland Cavaliers. The Lions, meanwhile, have a tough assignment against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

The Blue Bulls won 36-12 against the Cavaliers in Pretoria earlier in the season and should be confident of coming away with a win, which will virtually confirm the Blue Bulls as semi-finalists.

The Lions will be wary of slipping up against Griquas as it will not only see them lose ground to the Blue Bulls but also provide WP with a much needed lifeline.

WP had a good win over the Cheetahs last weekend but they remain four points adrift of the Lions and are at risk of missing out on the semi-finals. They face the Valke, who are without a win to date, in Brakpan on Friday.

Rookie scrumhalf Conrad Hoffmann and flyhalf Peter Grant were key figures in the win over the Cheetahs and their combination will again be critical. Selborne Boome has also provided inspirational leadership in Luke Watson’s absence.

Depending what happens to the three challengers above them this week, Griquas could still sneak home. They would have to win their last two matches, against the Lions and WP, with bonus points, a big ask in anyone’s book.