The Cheetahs may be playing in Europe for the first time since February 2020, however, they have selected what is actually a very settled squad for the match in France.

The two-time World Cup winner, Frans Steyn, will start at fullback with Reinhardt Fortuin playing at inside centre, while Siya Masuku and Ruan Pienaar will form that halfback combination.

Upfront, Friedle Olivier, will start at the back of the scrum with Oupa Mohoje and Jeandré Rudolph playing on the flank.

Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen and Schalk Ferreira will start in the frontrow. Marnus van der Merwe was earmarked to start in the number two jersey with Van der Westhuizen on the bench. However, Van der Merwe sustained an injury during Thursday morning’s training session.

The loosehead prop, Mzamo Majola, will play off the bench and he will be on debut for the team.

The coach, Hawies Fourie told OFM Sport that the conditions will allow team to play their more natural game.

“The forecast for Saturday is that it going to be quite cold, the maximum temperature is only going to be about six degrees,” said Fourie.

“The forecast says there will be rain only very early in the morning and nothing during the day.

“That will suit us and it means that we can still play a bit and we don't have to kick all the time - that's our strength.

“We back ourselves in or phase play, counterattack, turn-over attack, and those type of things.

“We've worked hard on our 22m attack as well - we want to dominate territory and play in their half and when we get there it is very important to get points on the board.

“Luckily, we've got kickers like Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn. Frans has got the distance and Ruan is very accurate.”

Saturday afternoon’s match between Section Paloise and the Cheetahs at Stade du Hameau will kick-off at 15:00.

Section Paloise - 15 Clément Mondinat, 14 Eoghan Barrett, 13 Yvan Reilhac, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Vincent Pinto, 10 Thibault Debaes, 9 Clovis Lebail, 8 Sacha Zegueur, 7 Thibaut Hamonou, 6 Martin Puech, 5 Jimi Maximin, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Nicolas Corato, 2 Lucas Rey (captain), 1 Rémi Seneca.

Replacements - 16 Youri Delhommel, 17 Siegfried Fisiihoi, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Mickael Capelli, 20 Reece Hewat, 21 Thibault Daubagna, 22 Elliot Roudil, 23 Mathias Colombet.

Cheetahs - 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Robert Ebersohn.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport