Coach Franco Smith has opted to go with their best possible and more experienced side for the clash and sees a whole host of changes to the team which lost 21-6 to the Waratahs last week.

Michael van der Spuy will, however,  be starting at centre for the match, while the exciting Nico Lee moves to the bench.

Shaun Venter also returns to scrumhalf and will partner Fred Zeilinga who retains the flyhalf berth for a third successive week.

There is bad news for the side with Willie Britz being ruled out of action for a lengthy period.

Smith confirmed that Britz underwent surgery to his injured knee today (Wednesday) and will be ruled out for at least the next six weeks, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the Super Rugby.

Smith told OFM Sport that Van der Spuy's big left boot will be an asset against the Kings.

Saturday’s match at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein kicks off at 17:05.

Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Tier Schoeman, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements – 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Carl Wegner, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Niel Marias, 23 Nico Lee.

Morgan Piek/OFM News