Cheetahs keep the faith

The Cheetahs head to Durban on Saturday to take on the Sharks.

In the only change to the run-on side Shaun Venter and Tian Meyer switch places at scrumhalf - with Venter in the starting line-up and Meyer on the bench.

The only other change to the matchday 23 sees Charles Marais replacing Luan de Bruin on the bench.

The Cheetahs, currently 13th on the 18-team table, are out of the running for the play-offs.

However, they could still have an impact on the final standings.

The Sharks and Bulls - eight and 10th on the standings, just three points apart - are in a race with the Stormers (third and nine points ahead of the Bulls in Africa One conference) for the two remaining play-off spots from the combined Africa conference.

The Lions have already booked their place in the quarterfinals and have also wrapped up the Africa Two conference, leaving the Sharks (on 35 points) to chase the Africa wildcard slot.

And they will contest that place with whoever of the Stormers (41 points with two games remaining) and Bulls (32 points, two matches remaining) don't finish first in Africa One.

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 George Whitehead, 23 William Small-Smith.

Date: Saturday, July 9

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT)

Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Archie Sehlako (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)