Johannesburg - The Cheetahs will be short a few stars and a stripe when they take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.
Last week the Free State squad lost inspirational captain Juan Smith to injury and will also be without loose forward Frans Viljoen who pulled a hamstring.
However, the purple stripe which represents the union’s close ties with the Griffons, will not be featured on the team’s jersey this season begging the question whether the men from Bloemfontein will be approaching off-the-field matters differently as well.
On the pitch they are expected to be as tough an opponent as they are in the Absa Currie Cup where they secured a season changing 24-29 win in the Mother City.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske will also have observed how the Lions approach what is considered the meanest defensive system in the country.
The real question is how they will perform under the double-Louw threat.
With Schalk Burger sitting this one out with a knee injury, highly underrated flank Pieter Louw has joined forces with Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen as the Cape Town side’s loose trio for the derby.
This means that space opened up for the promising Nick Koster on the bench.
Flyhalf Peter Grant was also given the nod ahead of Gary Van Aswegen while no South African team have as many blessings in midfield as last year’s Super 14 runners-up.
Juan de Jongh coming in for the injured Jacque Fourie could very well provide the home side with the spark they lacked on attack against the Lions last week.
De Jongh must surely be fancying his chances of making the Springbok touring squad for this year’s Tri-Nations, and World Cup, and will be using this opportunity to showcase his talents.
However, in all derbies between these sides it all boils down to which of the two packs can control the match.
In the Currie Cup the Cheetahs were the victors at the set-pieces, but then this is not Currie Cup and the Stormers are building a reputation for being rock solid at home in this competition.