Cheetahs vs Lions Preview & Tips - Points galore predicted for Bloemfontein

The Lions lead the Cheetahs 4-2 in their last 6 matches. They last met in the 2020 Currie Cup where the Lions won 39-23 at home.

The Cheetahs are bottom of the Currie Cup table with 16 points, six points off the playoff spots. They do have a game in hand so could close that gap but this is a must-win if they are to make the semi-final.

It was a slow start to the season for the Bloemfontein side with 13 players out due to COVID. Their return helped the Cheetahs to a 17-16 win over the Lions and a 38-21 thrashing of Western Province.

Unfortunately it hasn’t gone according to plan since. A horror defensive showing saw the Cheetahs lose 47-30 at home to the Sharks. This past weekend they held a comfortable half-time lead but more defensive lapses saw Western Province win 40-39.

Hawies Fourie will go into this match at full strength knowing it is a must-win. Crucially, if the Cheetahs can get five points from this match they are right back in the mix for the playoffs.

The Lions are fifth on the Currie Cup table but both sides below them have a game in hand. One of the sides is this week’s opponents, the Cheetahs. 

Over the course of their eight matches the Lions have only managed two victories. The first came in round two when they beat Western Province 38-32 and the second on Saturday in a 35-32 victory against Griquas.

Between those two results the Lions lost 41-31 to Griquas and 40-21 to the Bulls. Inconsistency has plagued the Johannesburg-based outfit this season, something they will need to change in the coming weeks.

Ivan van Rooyen has no injury concerns but should rotate with a few players. It is a crucial game in the context of the Lions season so it is unlikely that the team will be changed too much despite the short turnaround.