A squad of 28 players will be used in the match in order to give as many members some much-needed game time before the European Challenge Cup.

This will also be a good indication of the team that will travel to Europe to face Section Paloise of France and the Scarlets of Wales.

The Cheetahs' assistant coach, Charl Strydom, told OFM Sport that they need time on the park.

"The Toyota Challenge definitely helped with our preparations," said Strydom.

"What we saw there was that we are not ready to play. You need at least four games to hit your straps, and I thought the game against the Griquas was probably the best game that we played in the series.

"We kind of had a settled team and gave everyone some game time. We are pretty settled on the route that we want to go, but the thing is that we need these two warm-up games.

"We definitely need it."

The players that were not considered for selection due to injury or because they aren’t fully fit are: Jean Drosté, Alulutho Tshakweni, Friedle Olivier, Enver Brand, Frans Steyn, Thabang Mahlasi, Andisa Ntsila, Gideon van der Merwe and Zinedine Booysen.

Friday afternoon’s match at Kings’ Park which will be played over three 30-minute chukkas, kicks off at 15:00.

Cheetahs – 15 Andell Loubser, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements – 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Marné Coetzee, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Roelof Smit, 22 Janus Venter, 23 Rewan Kruger, 24 George Lourens, 25 Robert Ebersohn, 26 Evardi Boshoff, 27 Munier Hartzenberg, 28 Cohen Jasper.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport