The Toyota Cheetahs have rung the changes ahead of Saturday’s SA Cup round four clash against Eastern Province in Bloemfontein as they look to return to winning ways.

A few players who played against the Pumas last week, such as Banie Britz, who moves from fullback to wing, retained their place in the team.

In addition, the team has been bolstered with players who played in France last week.

The Cheetahs won’t use some of their biggest names, such as Friedle Oliver, Gideon van der Merwe, Chucky van der Westhuizen, Ruan Pienaar, and S’bu Nkosi.

In addition, the flyhalf George Lourens moves to the bench for the game.

Abner van Reenen, a late change to the team against Clermont, will start at flyhalf, while Andell Loubser, who also stepped in at the last minute, gets another crack.

Andell Loubser on the charge against the Boland Cavaliers. Foto: Morgan Piek

Coach Izak van der Westhuizen told OFM Sport that former Stormers pivot Van Reenen and the versatile Loubser deserve another run.

“Abner stepped in and did quite well on the field,” said Van der Westhuizen. “Going forward he will get game time this week and then we'll rotate to the flyhalves to see who'll take the reins in the Currie Cup.

“Andell is another example of the guy that hasn't played a lot and when we started with the training sessions, we wanted to get everyone on the same level. 

“That's why that warm-up game against the Griquas and the other games we played a lot of guys. This past weekend at 99 Reinhardt Fortuin pulled out and Andell had come off the bench and played his part. That was the idea from the start, to get everyone within the system to understand and play at the same level.

“That was quite pleasing to see that he just stepped into that position at 99. He got the message to play during the warm-up before the game. It's the same with Abner, he was player 24 and then came onto the bench and eventually played his part.”

Saturday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Andell Loubser, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Siba Qoma, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Justin Forwood, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Thabang Mahlasi, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Marko Janse van Vuren, 23 George Lourens

Eastern Province – 15 Xolela Payi, 14 Damian Swanepoel, 13 Riaan Arends (captain), 12 Sherwin Slater, 11 JD Jooste, 10 Ruben de Vos, 9 Wayne Ngubane, 8 Laken Gray, 7 Gerrit Huisamen, 6 Diego Williams, 5 Lungisile Mbiko, 4 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 3 Andile Ngonyama, 2 Sitembiso Befile, 1 Siya Nzuzo

Replacements – 16 Deon Plaatjies, 17 Zuki Sali, 18 Keenan Frieslaar, 19 Ayabonga Nomboyo, 20 Sanwell Jacobs, 21 Atenkosi Manentsa, 22 Marvin Kampher, 23 Ayabonga Oliphant

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh