He will have until later on Thursday to prove his fitness after injuring his groin which ruled him out of last week’s match against the Sharks.

In the pack, Jeandré Rudolph earns the first start at the expense of Aidon Davis. Last week Rudolph made his debut for the Cheetahs off the bench in Durban.

In the second row, Ian Groenewald is on debut after recently moving to the Cheetahs from the Griquas.

On the bench, Marnus van der Merwe makes his long-awaited return from injury.

Coach Hawies Fourie told OFM Sport that Groenewald adds bulk to the pack.

“Ian gives us a bit more bulk. I felt that we need more ball-carriers in the team.

“He is a really good ball-carrier. He does the hard work, he is good at stopping the mauls and he pulls his weight in the scrum.

“His selection was more about his all-round performance than just one area.”

Saturday evening's match at Newlands kicks off at 19:00.

Stormers - 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements - 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Neethling Fouche, 20 Chris van Zyl, 21 David Meihuizen, 22 Ben-Jason Dixon, 23 Godlen Masimla, 24 Kade Wolhuter, 25 Michal Hazner, 26 Leolin Zas.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Frans Steyn/ Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela (captain), 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements - 16 Boan Venter, 17 Marnus van der Merwe, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Chris Smit/ Howard Mnisi.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport