Lourens earns a rare start for the Cheetahs and on Friday it will also be the first time he is representing the team away from home.

The 25-year-old backline marshal has played in only a handful of game for the Cheetahs, with two against the Pumas, while he also started against the USA Falcons during the 2022 Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein.

The match against the Sharks will certainly be his biggest challenge to date, and the predicted rain will make it even more tricky. That said, he hails from Cape Town and he would be more just to the wet conditions than most.

Last year’s Varsity Cup Player of the Year replaces Reinhardt Fortuin in the number 10 jersey, with the latter being unavailable this weekend as he is getting married on Saturday. Lourens does have proper back up in the bench in the form of Siya Masuku, who himself will join the Sharks later in the year.

Lourens told OFM Sport that starting against the Sharks is a good opportunity to prove his worth in the team and he is ready for the challenge that awaits.

“It's a big opportunity for me this weekend,” said Lourens.

“It's not my first start, but it is my first away game for the Cheetahs. The Sharks are in good form and they are also a big team to play against, and those are the games that you want to play and put your hand up.

“Coming from Cape Town I'm quite used to the rain and weather, so I'm not too worried about that. We always do hope for dry fields so that we can run the ball, but we'll be able to adapt.”

Friday night’s game between the Sharks and Cheetahs at Kings’ Park kicks off at 19:05.

Sharks – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Lionel Cronjé, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Henco Venter, 7 James Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Jeandré Labuschagne, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements - 16 Dian Bleuler, 17 Dameon Venter, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Celimpilo Gumede, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Marnus Potgieter.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 George Cronjé, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 Dolph Botha, 19 Friedle Olivier, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Siya Masuku, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Evardi Boshoff.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport