Cheetahs will be keen to prove a point in Pro 14 - Jean Deysel

Ulster flanker Jean Deysel believes Cheetahs will be desperate to make a mark in the upcoming season of Pro 14 which will be their debut in the Northern hemisphere competition.

Cheetahs along with Southern Kings made a switch to Pro 14 after they were axed in the Super Rugby competition at the end of the previous season. Cheetahs are also the defending champions of the Currie Cup competition and currently top the table in the ongoing edition of the tournament.

Deysel had a glimpse of Cheetahs when he was with Sharks between 2007 and 2016 before joining Munster on loan in 2017 and later signed a two year deal with Ulster.

The 32-year-old flanker will be part of Ulster's starting line-up for the Friday's clash against Cheetahs and he is expecting a fierce competition from the South African side.

"They're mid-season back home, so it's definitely a tough one," Deysel told the Irish Independent.

"They've played a few games, they're top of the log in the Currie Cup home so it's a tough one. But it's a great start for us. We're hungry to go and I'm sure they'll be looking forward to getting going in a new competition.

"They're a brilliant side, sometimes you don't know what you're getting because they have such good individuals. They're well gelled. They'll come here with a great unity.

"They (the Cheetahs) were down and out in Super Rugby, they were actually kicked out of it, so they will want to make a mark and leave an impression in the competition."