Guinness PRO14 is back with a thrilling raft of fixtures after the European ties last weekend. And a trip to Bloemfontein on the cards, fans can look forward to an all-South African clash as Toyota Cheetahs host the Isuzu Southern Kings. What’s at stake? While both sides are firmly out of the running for a place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series, the tie represents a domestic rivalry that will have fans intrigued. Having just signed Jerry Sexton – brother of Leinster Rugby star Johnny – Southern Kings are making clear steps to building a more competitive side next season. As such, finishing off with a win – which would ensure they will not end bottom of Conference B, where Dragons currently lie – will build some momentum to take into next season. Toyota Cheetahs have fared slightly better, and remained in the Final Series running for a while before it fell out of sight – which is why chalking up their eighth win of the season will be important. Team news (Toyota Cheetahs) Franco Smith has made a raft of changes ahead of the team’s final game – starting with Aranos Coetzee at prop. Marnus van der Merwe replaced the injured Gerhard Olivier at flanker, while Louis Fouche and Malcolm Jaer swap positions in the XV. Meanwhile, Boan Venter and Erich de Jager could make their debuts as they are named among the replacements. Team news (Isuzu Southern Kings) Equally, Deon Davids has rung the changes – starting with the return of Masixole Banda and Fijian Meli Banda, who replaces injured winger Yaw Penxe. Exciting fly-half Courtney Winnaar will make his debut for the side after signing from the Sharks a fortnight ago. Sibusiso Sithole will start in the centre while Michael Willemse will play his final game for the club before moving to Edinburgh this summer. Lastly, Dries van Schalkwyk and Stephan de Wit earn places in the XV. Talking points Toyota Cheetahs captain Tian Meyer said: “The Southern Kings always offers a challenge and we are prepared for them. “Our players are excited to play in front of our home crowd and would like to treat them to an exciting game of running rugby. “Our last two home games were frustrating in the sense that we weren’t rewarded with the effort put in on the field. We hope that things will work in our favour on Saturday.” Isuzu Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids said: “It’s been a tough week for us given the fact that this is our last game of what has been a long season. “There has also been a sense of excitement with everyone looking forward to this last one after all the commitment and hard work during the course of the past year. We just want to enjoy and express ourselves in a positive manner in our last game. “We’ve done our best this week to prepare to the best of our ability. “We always give it our best shot. We always know that the Cheetahs are a tough opposition whether we play them in Port Elizabeth or Bloemfontein. “If we want to beat them, we will have to be at our best. We will have to have all of our systems working, and we will have to be able to play beyond 80 minutes. That is exactly what we will try to do.” Key battle – Rabz Maxwane vs Yaw Penxe Throughout the season, fans of any Guinness PRO14 team could always look at Rabz Maxwane for guaranteed entertainment. The league’s top scorer has been relentless, notching 14 tries and he looks like he’ll be in a straight offensive shootout with Southern Kings’ Yaw Penxe – the speedster has scored some stunning tries this season. Key fact: Last time these teams met, Toyota Cheetahs triumphed in an astonishing 40-36 victory. Did you know? Isuzu Southern Kings have never won a game against this weekend’s opponents in the Guinness PRO14. Toyota Cheetahs: Louis Fouche, Tian Meyer ©, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Dries Swanepoel, Rabz Maxwane, Tian Schoeman, Shaun Venter, Charles Marais, Joseph Dweba, Aranos Coetzee, Walt Steenkamp, JP du Preez, Marnus van der Merwe, Abongile, Nonkontwana, Henco Venter Replacements: Reinach Venter, Boan Venter, Erich de Jager, Sintu Manjezi, Jasper Wiese, Rudy Paige, Malcolm Jaer, Darron Adonis Isuzu Southern Kings: Masixole Banda, Meli Rokoua, Harlon Klaasen, Sibusiso Sithole, Bjorn Basson, Courtney Winnaar, Stefan Ungerer, Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse, De-Jay Terblanche, Andries Van Schalkwyk, John-Charles Astle ©, Stephan De Wit, Martinus Burger, Ruaan Lerm Replacements: Alandre Van Rooyen, Xandre Vos, Lupumlo Mguca, Schalk Oelofse, Jurie Van Vuuren, Rudi Van Rooyen, Bader Pretorius, Ntabeni Dukisa TV: At Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, 5.30pm. Live on Supersport and DAZN. Referee: Dan Jones (WRU) AR1: Aled Evans (WRU),AR2: Paul Mente (SARU) TMO: Johann Greeffe (SARU) The Guinness PRO14 Final is one of the most entertaining games in the rugby calendar and takes place in Glasgow’s Celtic Park on May 25. Tickets start at just £25 for adults, £1 for kids. Visit www.pro14rugby.org/finaltickets
