Cheetahs vs Sharks Predictions & Tips - Cheetahs can win at home

The Cheetahs returned to form last week with a win while the Sharks suffered a heavy defeat. I’m backing the hosts to finish within six points of the Sharks and possibly upset the odds.

Sharks have won four of their last six matches against the Cheetahs. When they met in the 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked competition the Sharks won 19-13 at home in a very tight match.

The Cheetahs are the defending Currie Cup champions but currently sit fifth in the table, one place outside the playoff positions.

The Free State side will always be a dangerous outfit but this season has been one to forget for many reasons. Performances have been well below par, which has coincided with the many off-field issues they have faced.

The Cheetahs are still within touching distance of the top four and can be a very dangerous team. After heavy 40-13 and 39-23 defeats against the Bulls and Lions respectively, the Cheetahs bounced back to win 35-31 against the Pumas last week.

The match started slowly as the Pumas looked the dominant side but after the break the Cheetahs started to reproduce their best form. 

Rosko Specman starts at wing for the Cheetahs after returning from injury. Frans Steyn will shift from flyhalf to inside centre with Reinhardt Fortuin coming in at flyhalf.

Oupa Mohoje makes his long-awaited return to the starting lineup at flank.

The Sharks sit third in the Currie Cup table after suffering a surprisingly heavy defeat last weekend. They are still well within the playoff places and comfortably clear of the fifth placed Cheetahs.

The Durban-based outfit began their Currie Cup campaign with a 45-10 victory over the Pumas before enjoying a bye in the second week. The Sharks then went into a top of the table clash against the Bulls, a match the Sharks won 32-29 in dramatic fashion.

Their season just seemed to find some consistency when they produced a poor performance last week. The Lions dominated the Sharks in every aspect as they cruised to a 27-12 home win.

This weekend the Sharks will want to get back to winning ways but face a Cheetahs team fighting for their lives.

Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made four changes to the starting lineup this week. John Hubert-Meyer will start at tighthead while Ruben van Heerden comes back into the second-row.

In the backline Jaden Hendrikse makes his first start for the Sharks at scrumhalf. At centre Jeremy Ward comes in for Marius Louw.

Fullback, Aphelele Fassi makes his return to the bench after missing most of the season through injury.