The Toyota Cheetahs continue their introduction to life in the Guinness PRO14 and will have learned a few things from the 42-19 defeat at Ulster in round one. Munster fans will look forward to seeing an exciting new team play at Thomond Park on Saturday at 5.15pm and the players will be keen to make their mark in a historic encounter.

What’s at stake? Having been well-beaten in the 2017 Guinness PRO14 final Munster responded with a composed 34-3 win over Benetton Rugby last week, which they’ll be keen to reinforce against the Cheetahs. The South African side will hope to get their first win of the season as soon as possible, and having given as good as they got against Ulster will look to tighten up their defence.

Team news (Munster Rugby): Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made just one change from last week’s side, with Ian Keatley coming in for fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal. Lock Billy Holland takes over the captaincy from Bleyendaal and experienced full-back Andrew Conway will make his 100^th Guinness PRO14 appearance.

Team news (Toyota Cheetahs): Francois Venter takes over the captaincy from Neill Jordaan on his return from the Springbok camp. He will play at centre outside William Small-Smith, while Sergeal Petersen moves out to the right wing from full-back. Clayton Blommetjies comes in to cover at 15 and Robbie Petzer will start at fly-half. In the pack, Rynier Bernardo is the only change, replacing Justin Basson at lock.

Talking points: The Cheetahs have already seen how much of an advantage an Irish home crowd can provide on their visit to the Kingspan last weekend. Thomond Park is just as tough a venue for visitors, so the South Africans cannot expect any reprieve in front of the fans in Limerick.

Key Battle: Two Springboks may well decide the game in the Cheetahs second fixture on Irish shores, as a returning Francois Venter faces compatriot Jaco Taute in the midfield. Both players have three caps for their country and, while Venter will be a crucial playmaker for his side, Taute will not make it easy for the visiting outside centre.

Key stat: Munster have lost just once in the regular season of the Guinness PRO14 since round 6 last year: 21-13 to champions Scarlets in Limerick in February.

Did you know? The Cheetahs have not lost successive games since they visited New Zealand in Super Rugby in May.

Munster Rugby: A Conway; D Sweetnam, C Farrell, J Taute, A Wootton; I Keatley, D Williams; L O’Connor, R Marshall, S Archer; J Kleyn, B Holland (c); S O’Connor, T O’Donnell, J O’Donoghue.

Replacements: N Scannell, D Kilcoyne, J Ryan, F Wycherley, R Copeland, J Hart, R Scannell, S Zebo.

Toyota Cheetahs: C Blommetjies; S Petersen, F Venter, W Small-Smith, M Mapimpi; R Petzer, S Venter; C Marais, J du Toit, J Coetzee; R Bernardo, R Hugo; P Schoeman, H Venter, N Jordaan.

Replacements: T van Jaarsveld, O Nche, T Botha, A Koster, G Olivier, T Meyer, A Mgijima, R Benjamin.

TV: TG4 and SuperSport1 (KO 5.15pm)

Match officials – Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU). Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Davies (WRU). AR2: Mark Patton (IRFU). TMO: Jon Mason (WRU).

Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie