Nine players will be making their Currie Cup debuts for the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday when they kick-off their title defence against the Griffons in Bloemfontein.

Ethan Wentzel will start at flyhalf for the Cheetahs, while Ali Mgijima returns from injury at inside centre. Litha Nkula in turn will start at fullback.

Nkula, Wentzel, Sbu Nkosi will also play their first Currie Cup games for the Cheetahs.

Upfront, Aidon Davis, starts at flank and will play his first game after returning from injury, while the captain Victor Sekekete is back from duty with the Ospreys.

On the bench, six players will make their first appearance in the competition for the champions, and they are Vernon Paulo, Robert Hunt, Pierre Uys, Neels Volschenk, Jandré Nel and Marco Jansen van Vuuren.

All of the Currie Cup debutants for the Cheetahs have played in the Currie Cup, except for Hunt who only joined the team from the Bulls on Monday. He will play his first-ever game for the Cheetahs.

Sekekete told OFM Sport that they are braced for a tough Free State derby.

“The main focus is here and it is on winning the Currie Cup,” said Sekekete who is back from URC duty with the Ospreys.

“The Griffons have worked on their game, and credit to them, but that means that it's game on now. So, it's a much better position and it's going to be a better game.

“Like you said the target is on our back, but that also means that we are going to attack and we're not just going to defend and take the shots.

“We're also going to go out to play rugby.”

Saturday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:55.

Cheetahs - 15 Litha Nkula, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Daniel Kasende, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Neels Volschenk, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 23 George Lourens.

Griffons - 15 Qamani Kota, 14 Gilroy Philander, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Jeandré de Beer, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 Duan Pretorius (captain), 9 Keegan Schaefer, 8 Orateng Koianyang, 7 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Moango Ngundue, 2 Chadley Wenn, 1 Xolani Jacobs

Replacements - 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Joshua Prins, 20 Jared Kruger, 21 Siphamandla Mingo Piti, 22 Cheslin Arendse, 23 Robbie Petzer

Morgan Piek OFM Sport