• The changes are meant to keep our players fresh for the tests ahead," said Cheetahs' coach Buyachi.
• The Buffaloes will take on the Lions in a mouth-watering 2 pm fixture, which will determine who gets to the final.
Rugby Super Series leaders Cheetahs have made 11 changes for Saturday's clash against winless Rhinos in Kakamega.
Lawrence Buyachi's charges, who have won their two matches — 18-5 against the Buffaloes and 18-16 against the Lions — will fancy their chances of a hatrick of wins ahead of the final encounter at the RFUEA ground in Nairobi.
The changes start in the front row with Kevin Kiget, Emmanuel Mboya, and Brian Onyango coming in for the rested Francis Orembe, Celestine Mboi and Desterious Makenzi.
In the second row, Tyson Okoth replaces Ibrahim Ayoo as skipper with Barry Opondo coming in for Clinton Juma.
Stepping up to co-captain the Cheetahs is Amos Obae, who shifts to the number eight position on his third straight start.
Nelson Tengeye comes in for Elkeans Musonye as blindside flanker.
In the backs, James Muthoni starts in the number nine jersey ahead of veteran Samson Onsomu while Abutwalib Wesonga comes in at flyhalf.
Kenya Sevens' Dennis Abukuse, Javan Okwaro and Samuel Macharia start in the backline.
Buyachi expects a competitive fixture.
"They will come hard at us as they chase their first win of the season. We must be on our guard. The changes are meant to keep our players fresh for the tests ahead," said Buyachi.
The Buffaloes will take on the Lions in a mouth-watering 2 pm fixture, which will determine who gets to the final. The teams have won one and lost one match.
The Lions have gone with a formidable pack that has the likes of Wilhite Mususi, Andy Cole Omolo, Eliakim Kichoi and co-captain Obat Kuke, who shone in last week's defeat to the Cheetahs.
Charles Tendwa, Mike Wamalwa and Levi Amunga are the pick of the backs.
Coach Oliver Mang'eni said they have learned from their 18-16 loss to the Cheetahs last week.
"Our discipline will have to be better. We had two guys sent to the sin bin against the Cheetahs. That is 20 minutes of playing with 14 men which is not easy. Tactically, we must be sharper in attack and defensive," said Mang'eni.