NSW are wary of the "lightning fast" Cheetahs backline but are confident their own flyers can finally break the shackles in a must-win Super 14 clash in Bloemfontein.

The Waratahs enter Saturday morning's (AEST) game seventh in the Super 14 ladder and three points adrift of fourth spot.

They will almost certainly need to win all three of their remaining games in South Africa to make the top four.

Refreshed following their bye week, the Waratahs will unleash a new-look backline after largely failing to fire this year.

Regular five-eighth Kurtley Beale has been restored to the side in the unfamiliar possession of inside centre, Peter Playford will get his first NSW Super start on the wing and Lachie Turner will move from there to fullback.

"We are looking quite crisp in the backline and everyone is getting the ball really well and we look very sharp in attack," Turner said from South Africa.

"In defence we look very strong, so all the signs are pointing in the right direction on Friday night."

Burdened by an unhelpful draw which didn't give them a home game until week eight, the Cheetahs are currently bottom of the ladder.

However, they have inflicted shock defeats on the previous leaders the Sharks and seven-times Super champions the Crusaders in two of their last three games.

"They are a good side and they are hitting form, they have had a tough run with a lot of away games," Turner said.

"They are playing good footy at the back end of the year so they will be very tough.

"They've got a lightning-fast backline, some really quick blokes there, so I know it will be a challenge.

"A game plan of theirs is to try and attack us wide. They got us like that two years ago, so I know they will be looking to spin the ball wide and really attack."

Turner believed returning to fullback would give him more attacking options than on the wing.

"I played all my junior footy at fullback coming through and I didn't start playing wing until I pretty much finished school," he said.

"I've always thought I would end up at fullback at some stage of my career, but going into this game, I'm very excited about the prospects of being able to hit the line from depth and provide a little bit of attacking spark and choosing where I get to attack on the field rather than waiting for the ball out on the wing."

While acknowledging the Waratahs could do with a try-scoring bonus point, Turner said they needed to concentrate on winning the game first and the additional point would come if they stuck to their game plan and structure.

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