Torsten van Jaarsveld will lead the team in Galway in the absence of Francois Venter, while Nico Lee and Tertius Kruger will run out at centre.

Junior Pokomela starts at the back of the scrum in the place of Oupa Mohoje, and Jasper Wiese makes his debut at flank.

Venter and Mohoje have both been called up to the Springbok side which flies out to Ireland over the weekend for the end-of-year-tour.

Fred Zeilinga will run out at fullback, with Ernst Stapelberg playing at flyhalf, and Luther Obi playing on the wing.

Obi gets his opportunity in the run-on side following the departure of Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen to the Stormers.

This Cheetahs have acquired the services of AJ Coertzen (Griquas) and Craig Barry (Western Province) for the remainder of the Pro14, however, both players will only link up with the side on 14 November, hence Zeilinga moves to the back three.

Among the replacements, Dennis Visser, comes onto the bench as cover for the injured Justin Basson, while Zee Mkhabela is also set for his debut.

Jacques du Toit has returned to South Africa to get married, and this has given Joseph Dweba, a rare opportunity in the senior side.

The Cheetahs coach, Rory Duncan, says that Connacht know how to punch above their weight.

“It goes without saying that we’re expecting a tough outing.

“Like I’ve mentioned earlier they are team that has proven that they can hang onto possession.

“We did see them kick a lot of ball against Munster.

“They are a well-rounded team with a very strong pack which is good at the set-piece and some very dangerous backs.

Saturday evening’s match in Galway kicks off at 21:35.

Connacht - 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Darragh Leader, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Niyi Adeolokun, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 John Muldoon (captain), 7 Eoin McKeon, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 5 James Cannon, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.

Replacements - 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Denis Coulson, 18 Conor Carey, 19 Gavin Thornbury, 20 Naulia Dawai, 21 Conor McKeon, 22 Steve Crosbie, 23 Matt Healy.

Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Fred Zeilinga, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Tertius Kruger, 12 Nico Lee, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Japer Wiese, 6 Tier Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (captain), 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements – 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Dennis Visser, 20 Rynier Bernardo, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Shaun Venter.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport