**Following a difficult second season in the Guinness PRO14, Hawies Fourie’s Toyota Cheetahs have been much more impressive this campaign – despite a recent slump in form.** After shining in their debut year with a maiden Finals Series appearance, last season brought disappointment with a sixth-place finish in Conference A. However, six wins from their first nine games this campaign – including beating Glasgow Warriors, Ulster and Munster to kick things off – saw Cheetahs exceeding all expectations near the top of the Conference A standings. A 45-0 hammering of South African rivals Isuzu Southern Kings on February 1 was the Cheetahs’ last win though – with four straight defeats seeing them slip out of the play-off places.