VENUE & TIME: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, Saturday March 6, 19.10 local (04.10 Sunday AEDT).

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 5 – Cheetahs 1, Hurricanes 4.

LAST TIME: March 7, 2009 (New Plymouth) – Hurricanes 29-12 Cheetahs.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: March 4, 2006 – Cheetahs 27-25 Hurricanes.

MATCH ODDS: Luxbet: Cheetahs $2.65, Hurricanes $1.48.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Cheetahs didn’t have many issues with their team this week; the big talking point is the inclusion of bright young thing Robert Ebersohn in the centres, where he makes his first start. Long touted as a potential star, it will be interesting to see how he goes. The Hurricanes had more than enough problems for both teams. Jason Eaton’s Super 14 season – and possibly a lot more than that – has ended with the news that his left knee needs surgery to repair ligament damage. The injury was one of those freak jobs suffered out in the open and with no opponent involved, but that fact won’t be comfort to the lock. With Jason Kawau, Tamati Ellison and Conrad Smith all unavailable, the Hurricanes midfield has a slightly fragile look to it and it took until late in the week before Ma’a Nonu’s partner, Alipati Leiua, was named. Among the voluntary changes the most interesting is Aaron Cruden’s selection at first-five, which leads one to believe the Hurricanes will pursue a running game throughout.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Cheetahs:
Round 1: Lost to Bulls 34-51
Round 2: Beat Sharks 25-20
Round 3: Lost to Highlanders 24-31

PAST FIVE Hurricanes:
Round 1: Beat Blues 34-20
Round 2: Beat Force 47-22
Round 3: Beat Lions 33-18

The Cheetahs missed a golden opportunity last weekend to get their best start in ages and also to get those ‘combine the Cheetahs and Lions to give the Kings a chance’ voices out of their ears. Possibly over-confident, they played with nothing like the intensity of the previous week and could only show a consolation point for their efforts. The Highlanders are nothing like the best side they’ll play this season and that defeat was an opportunity that won’t come back. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are three from three and deserve to be there, even if the Blues are the strongest side they’ve played to date. All 13 others must be met at some stage, so to have taken two five-pointers against bottom feeders is just what the coach ordered. The Hurricanes did enough to always have the Lions game under control without ever threatening to run away with it.

WHO'S HOT: The Cheetahs have a strong pack, combining a solid front row with big locks and a classy loose trio. Best known – and consistently good performers – are hooker Andries Strauss and the flankers Heinrich Brussow and Juan Smith. As well as Ebersohn, a number of South African critics think very highly of winger Lionel Mapoe, who has pace to burn and collected a ringing endorsement from Chester Williams during the week; the pressure is now on him to deliver as well. Andrew Hore is doing a fine job leading the Hurricanes and is getting able backup from 2009 All Black Bryn Evans, while Piri Weepu is off to his best season start in ages as he’s been allowed to settle into one role. Nonu has been quieter than usual this year but with the injuries around him, it’s time for the powerful midfielder to take a step to the fore.

WE THINK: Although the Cheetahs won the only previous meeting between these sides at Bloemfontein (the 2008 match was played at Kimberley), it has no influence on our call. We’re picking the Hurricanes to win this match by 10-15 points and they should take a bonus point as well.

TEAMS:

Cheetahs: 1 – Wian du Preez, 2 – Adriaan Strauss, 3 – WP Nel, 4 – Nico Breedt, 5 – Walti Vermeulen, 6 – Heinrich Brussow, 7 – Juan Smith (captain), 8 – Frans Viljoen, 9 – Sarel Pretorius, 10 – Naas Olivier, 11 – Jongi Nokwe, 12 – Meyer Bosman, 13 – Robert Ebersohn, 14 – Lionel Mapoe, 15 – Hennie Daniller.

Reserves: 16 – Ryno Barnes, 17 – Corne Oosthuizen, 18 – David de Villiers, 19 – Kabamba Floors, 20 – Tewis de Bruyn, 21 – Riaan Viljoen, 22 – Danwel Demas.

Hurricanes: 1 – John Schwalger, 2 – Andrew Hore (captain), 3 – Neemia Tialata, 4 – Bryn Evans, 5 – Michael Paterson, 6 – Victor Vito, 7 – Karl Lowe, 8 – Rodney So’oialo, 9 – Piri Weepu, 10 – Aaron Cruden, 11 – David Smith, 12 – Ma'a Nonu, 13 – Alipati Leiua, 14 – Andre Taylor, 15 – Cory Jane.

Reserves: 16 – Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 – Jeremy Thrush, 19 – Scott Waldrom, 20 – Tyson Keats, 21 – Willie Ripia, 22 – Brett Mather.

REFEREE: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)