De Waal was on Thursday named in the Cheetahs starting XV for Saturday's showpiece, but Cheetahs team manager Naka Drotské confirmed that remains concern over De Waal, who injured his groin in the Cheetahs' 30-14 semi-final win over the Sharks last Saturday.

Lock Barend Pieterse, who was doubtful ahead of the semi-final against the Sharks because of a leg injury, is also still on the doubtful list and like De Waal will have to pass a fitness test at Friday's captain's run.

Both De Waal and Pieterse trained with their teammates on Thursday, but remain in a race against time to be fit for the Final.

If they are both cleared on Friday, the Cheetahs will field an unchanged starting XV from that which eventually took to the field against the Sharks.

Although the Cheetahs made some last minute changes before the semi-final, Drotské said they won't tamper with the team ... unless it is absolutely necessary.

"They played very well against the Sharks and there is no reason to tamper with a winning combination," Drotské said.

The Cheetahs team manager said they have had a very good week as far as their preparation are concerned.

"The players now have to go out and do the job," he added.

Vodacom Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Phillip Burger, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Hendrik Meyer, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Ollie le Roux (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jaco du Toit, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Bian Vermaak, 19 Heinrich Brüssouw, 20 Falie Oelschig, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Gaffie du Toit

Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Marius Jonker (KwaZulu Natal), JC Fortuin (Western Province)
Touch judges 4 & 5: Pro Legoete (Golden Lions), Louis Mzomba (Western Province)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)
Assessor: Dennis Immelman (Western Province)
Timekeeper: Gabriel Pappas (Golden Lions)

By Jan de Koning