Toyota Cheetahs can seal their place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series, in their first season in the Championship, if they defeat Munster Rugby at the Toyota Stadium tonight.
It’s third meets second in Conference A and it’s sure to be a much closer contest than when Munster thrashed the Cheetahs 51-18 at Thomond Park in the second round of the season.
The Cheetahs took a big step towards the play-offs last week as a late penalty try gave them a dramatic 29-27 victory over Cardiff Blues, while Munster ensured their season will be extended last weekend by defeating Southern Kings 39-22.
What’s at stake?
The Cheetahs are nine points clear of fourth-placed Cardiff Blues in Conference A with just two games to go, so victory would guarantee a place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series.
With seven points separating them from Munster, a win would also maintain their chances of gaining home advantage in a Semi-Final Qualifier.
Should Munster pick up their second straight win in South Africa, such an advantage would definitely be theirs, while it would keep alive their hopes of still finishing above Conference leaders Glasgow Warriors.
Team news (Cheetahs)
South Africa international Johan Goosen will make his Guinness PRO14 debut at fly-half in what is regarded as a ’10-pointer’ in Conference A.
The 25-year-old’s introduction is the one of the changes made by head coach Rory Duncan to the line-up from last week’s win over Cardiff.
Niel Marais, who started at No.10 in that match, moves to inside centre with Clinton Swart dropping to the bench, which also includes prop Charles Marais.
Team news (Munster)
Head coach Johann van Graan has made nine changes to the side that defeated the Kings last week, with Ireland internationals Simon Zebo and Peter O’Mahony both included in the starting line-up.
Andrew Conway and Darren Sweetnam will start on the wings, Sammy Arnold comes in at inside centre and prop Brian Scott makes just his second start of the season.
Captain O’Mahony is part of a new back row, which is completed by Jack O’Donoghue and Robin Copeland, while JJ Hanrahan moves from full back to fly-half, as Ian Keatley starts on the bench along with scrum-half Conor Murray.
Talking points
Munster scrum-half James Hart: “They have been tough to beat over here, only Glasgow have managed that so far.
“I have never played at altitude so I am looking forward to seeing how the lungs go.
“I know it will be tough but we are a very well-conditioned side and our preparations out here have gone very well so hopefully there will be no issue for us.”
Key battle – Johan Goosen v JJ Hanrahan
Johan Goosen is playing in his first game of rugby since the end of 2016, when he suddenly retired while at French side Racing 92 and he makes his return in a crucial game for the Cheetahs.
They have an excellent home record and they’ll need the transition of Goosen’s arrival at fly-half to be a smooth one if they’re to make the most of their forwards’ hard work.
His opposite number, JJ Hanrahan, is a player who prefers to run with the ball in hand rather than kick for the corners, is capable of cutting through the opposition’s defence and has a potent backline outside of him.
Key fact: The Cheetahs’ only defeat in Bloemfontein this season was at the hands of Glasgow Warriors in Round 6.
Did you know? The Cheetahs haven’t recorded four straight wins since their 2013 Super Rugby campaign.
Toyota Cheetahs: Clayton Blommetjies, William Small-Smith, Francois Venter, Niel Marais, Sibhale Maxwane, Johan Goosen, Tian Meyer, Ox Nche, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Johan Coetzee, Carl Wegner, Reniel Hugo, Paul Schoeman, Oupa Mohoje, Uzair Cassiem
Replacements: Jacques du Toit, Charles Marais, Tom Botha, Rynier Bernarbo, Henco Venter, Zee Mkhabela, Clinton Swart, AJ Coertzen
Munster Rugby: Simon Zebo, Andrew Conway, Sammy Arnold, Dan Goggin, Darren Sweetnam, JJ Hanrahan, James Hart, Brian Scott, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Gerbrandt Grobler, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue, Robin Copeland
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Dave O’Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Conor Murray, Ian Keatley, Rory Scannell
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