It is Rory versus Rassie at Thomond Park

The Cheetahs face off with Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick and the sideshow – as it was in last week's opening round between Ulster and the Cheetahs – will be the number of South Africans in the game.

Top of that list is the coaching face-off between Rassie, as he is affectionately known, and his former 'pupil' Rory.

Duncan, who took charge of the Cheetahs for their first foray into Europe, spoke of the toughness of their opening match [a 19-42 loss to Ulster] and the directness of the Irish teams.

He also said how much they enjoyed playing in front of a sold-out crowd, with a "fantastic" atmosphere.

The Cheetahs have a couple of injury niggles – to Sevens flyers Rosko Specman and Clayton Blommetjies – but Duncan was hopeful that both will pass late fitness tests.

However, it is the encounter with his former mentor, Erasmus, that will steal the spotlight in the build-up.

"Teams that Rassie coaches always put in physical performances, as well as having exceptional defence lines," Duncan said.

"That [defence] is obviously one of the areas that he is passionate about, working very closely with Jacques Nienaber," he said of the two South African coach – who will both return home to the Republic in December.

"Munster do play relatively direct as well, so we do anticipate another physical encounter."

He said the Cheetahs are working hard to cause an upset in their second match in Ireland.

Without elaborating he said they will address the areas they were weak in against Ulster.

By Jan de Koning

@king365ed

@rugby365com

Next up… a first for @thomondstadium as we welcome @CheetahsRugby to Limerick next week! See you there #MUNvCHE pic.twitter.com/dNHbZF7JDh

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 1, 2017