The Sharks resume their quest for Super Rugby glory with a trip to Bloemfontein, knowing that a win is essential to their 2014 fortunes.
The Durban-based franchise has set the pace for most of the year, until a shock defeat at home to the Stormers in Round 16 handed ascendancy to the Waratahs.
The Sharks are still in prime position to finish in the top two and guarantee a home Semi Final, but it now appears as though they may have to travel outside of South Africa if they are to go all the way.
That couldn't be further from the mind of Jake White however with the Director of Rugby focused squarely on this weekend's match-up.
"The Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, they’re a strong side, you can see that from their record," he said.
"They have knocked over some good sides at home and despite all the Springbok players they have from the weekend, it’s not really about the players they have in their roster, they’re a good team. We just need to make sure we prepare ourselves properly.
"We have a good away record, probably better than our home record this year strangely enough, although it’s not something we are really concentrating on or giving too much attention to. We just want to make sure we win."
Sharks XV:
1. Dale Chadwick
2. Kyle Cooper
3. Lourens Adriaanse
4. Stephan Lewies
5. Anton Bresler
6. Marcell Coetzee
7. Jean Deysel (C)
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Tim Swiel
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Frans Steyn
13. S'bura Sithole
14. JP Pietersen
15. SP Marais
Reserves:
16. Thomas du Toit
17. Bismarck du Plessis
18. Jannie du Plessis
19. Willem Alberts
20. Tera Mtembu
21. Charl McLeod
22. Odwa Ndungane
23. Tonderai Chavhanga
