Munster have secured their place in the Pro14 play-offs with a bonus point 39-22 win over the Southern Kings over the weekend.

By the same token, the Cheetahs need just a victory this week against Munster or next week against the Kings to advance to the knockout rounds.

Wins over both teams, and a Munster loss to Ulster next week, could mean that the Cheetahs will get to play at home.

The last time these two sides met was on 9 September at Thomond Park in Limerick, in what was just the Cheetahs' second ever game in the Pro14, after making their European debut a week prior against Ulster in Belfast.

On the day the winger Alex Wootton scored four tries a ruthless Munster thrashed the Cheetahs 51-18.

The South African-born Irish loose-forward, CJ Stander, says this time it will be a different story as the Cheetahs won’t be a walk-over in Bloemfontein.

“It will be another physical battle, only one team has been able to beat them up there (Glasgow Warriors). They know how to use the pitch and the stadium to their advantage.

“At altitude, it is going to be a challenge, so we have a big game up there next week. We know that they are physical and their backs can punish you.

“To be on top of our game we must make sure that we sort out the injuries and get the bodies sorted out for next week."

Munster are spending the week in Cape Town again, as was the case before their game against the Kings in George.

They will be arriving in Bloemfontein on Thursday ahead of the all-important fixture. There is a very good chance that Stander as well as a few of the other senior players won’t be playing against the Cheetahs due to their European Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92 at Stade Chaban-Delmas, in Bordeaux.

Tough one for Cheetahs
Good luck lads

Coach: Johann van Graan
Captain: Dave O’Callaghan
Team: TBA

Johan Goosen to start for the Cheetahs apparently

Cheetahs making it to the playoffs in their debut season can only be a good thing. Hoping for a win.

Draad is that you?

Yea must be pretty tough going for Irish rugby fans. Under-performing in Europe, under-performing in 6N. Let's hope a win against South Africa's finest will lift their spirits.

Eh?

Yea must be pretty tough going for Irish rugby fans. Under-performing in Europe, under-performing in 6N. Let's hope a win against South Africa's finest will lift their spirits.

So far this new venture has done very little to stem the tide of players leaving. In fact its seems to have just made it easer I mean even Blommetjies got a contract.

So far this new venture has done very little to stem the tide of players leaving. In fact its seems to have just made it easer I mean even Blommetjies got a contract.

:roll:
So far from the Cheetahs camp: Francois Venter, Clayton Blommetjies, Uzair Cassiem, Tom Botha and Rory Duncan the coach.
The Kings have managed to steal back Super Sarel from Newport Gwent Dragons though. Have they lost any players so far?
Even the Bulls have joined the migration with Dries Swanepoel joining Munster on a short term deal (subject to him getting a valid work permit)

The Cheetahs on Tuesday announced that they have finalised and signed 23 player contracts.

New names added to the PRO14 franchise’s list include flyhalves Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Louis Fouche and loose forward Aidon Davis.

Janse van Rensburg, who joined the Cheetahs on Tuesday, was signed from the Sharks, while Fouche will join the Cheetahs at the start of July when he returns from the Kubota Spears in Japan.

Davis, a former Junior Springbok and Southern Kings player, will join from French club Toulon, also on July 1.

Besides the above-mentioned trio, 20 more players extended their contracts with the Cheetahs for the 2018/19 PRO14 season or beyond.

They are: Dian Badenhorst, Jacques du Toit, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Lloyd Greeff, Elandre Huggett, Malcolm Jaer, Nico Lee, Daniel Martens, Sibahle 'Rabz' Maxwane, Tian Meyer, Ali Mgijima, Junior Pokomela, Sibabalo Qoma, William Small-Smith, Ernst Stapelberg, Boan Venter, Reinach Venter, Shaun Venter, Dennis Visser.

The Cheetahs also announced that more signings would be announced in due course.

“Currently more negotiations with senior players in the present group and from outside the province, are taking place and will soon be finalised,” the union said via a press statement.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/PRO14/cheetahs-finalise-23-player-contracts-20180403

Coach will be Franco Smith

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/PRO14/cheetahs-finalise-23-player-contracts-20180403

Coach will be Franco Smith

Saffers has there been much of a drop off in local interest in the cheetahs since the pro14 move. Given how they had haenorraged players initially I think they’ve done well to be still going strong at this stage. They’ll add a decent amount to the league if they can keep players.

Out of interest why do they struggle more than the stormer or bulls or sharks. Smaller local market? Sounds like a proper conveyor belt of local talent.

Out of interest why do they struggle more than the stormer or bulls or sharks. Smaller local market? Sounds like a proper conveyor belt of local talent.

Saffers has there been much of a drop off in local interest in the cheetahs since the pro14 move. Given how they had haenorraged players initially I think they’ve done well to be still going strong at this stage. They’ll add a decent amount to the league if they can keep players.

Chilli has done a great job of waving the flag for the Cheetahs. I admire his fortitude

Chilli has done a great job of waving the flag for the Cheetahs. I admire his fortitude

In personal circles there's not many that I know that follow the Cheetahs but then I'm in Bull's country and can’t speak for the Free State lot.