Win will change Cheetahs’ fortunes

Victory will see the sixthplaced team leap to third

The Cheetahs may be second last in their conference, but they have an outside chance of catapulting themselves back into contention with a shock Pro 14 win over Connacht tomorrow.

The problem is they are playing away in Galway, which rather lengthens the odds on them joining the potential conference A’s qualifiers for the knockout stages. The knockout stages though‚ are some way off.

Their immediate task is taking on a Connacht side that is tough to crack at home.

Moreover‚ the Cheetahs are still without Oupa Mohoje (knee)‚ Jamba Ulenga (neck)‚ Joseph Dweba (hamstring)‚ Malcolm Jaer (knee)‚ Benhard Janse van Rensburg (concussion) and Aidon Davis (broken leg).

They need no reminding Connacht’s only home defeats this season have come against compatriots Leinster and Munster‚ as well as Glasgow Warriors‚ all sides who are flying high in European competition.

At least, the Cheetahs embarked on their three-match tour having done everything that has been expected of them since the start of the year.

They are unbeaten this year but the two wins each against Zebre and the Southern Kings doesn’t necessarily represent over achievement at the cutting edge of the competition.

The Cheetahs are sixth in their seventeam conference but a surprise bonus point win over Connacht will potentially elevate them into third place should other results involving Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys also go their way.

Connacht, who are fourth‚ can potentially go second if they win this weekend.

Apart from the four wins this year, Franco Smith’s team will also be buoyed by the enterprising style of play they’ve been able to sustain this season.

Their attack has been impressive and they have scored the same number of tries as log leaders Munster.