The former UJ winger, Prince Nkabinde, wan’t to stake his claim at the number 11 jersey at the Toyota Cheetahs on Friday afternoon in Pretoria.

The powerful winger was named on the left-wing for the Currie Cup third round clash against the Bulls in one of seven changes made by the Cheetahs.

The Cheetahs also welcome back Cohen Jasper from injury, while the former Bull, Marko Jansen van Vuren will start at scrumhalf.

Upfront, Oupa Mohojé, will start at 8th-man, while in the front-row Hencus van Wyk returns from injury to start at tighthead prop.

On the bench, Pieter Jansen van Vuren is on debut for the team, while Daniel Maartens is back from injury and Smiley Nel provides cover at scrumhalf.

Nkabinde told OFM Sport that he is excited to be on debut.

“Yes, I'm so excited about the opportunity and I'm really looking forward to playing on Friday,” said Nkabinde.

“The coaches have granted me this opportunity and yes, I have to have to grab it with both hands and that's the nice thing about this group of players and the coaches. They give you an opportunity because they trust that you can deliver.

“There's a reason why they've granted me this opportunity to play and, yeah, so I'm really really looking forward to my debut.”

Friday afternoon’s match at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 17:00, while at 15:00 the Lions face the Griquas at Ellis Park.

Bulls - 15 Devon Williams, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Merwe Olivier, 6 Nizaam Carr (captain), 5 Jannes Kirsten, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Dylan Smith

Replacements - 16 Juann Else, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Abulele Ndabambi, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Cornal Hendricks

Cheetahs  -15 Litha Nkula, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Marko Janse van Vuren, 8 Oupa Mohojé, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Jandré Nel, 23 Reinhardt Fortuin

Morgan Piek OFM Sport