The Toyota Cheetahs have changed their starting XV for Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Cohen Jasper returns to start on the wing, while Munier Hartzenberg will move to the outside centre. Evardi Boshoff has exchanged the number 13 jersey for the number 12F jersey in place of the injured Ali Mgijima.

Jandré Nel, a late tactical change ahead of the 41-14 win against the Pumas in Nelspruit last week, will again start at scrumhalf and form the halfback combination with Ethan Wentzel.

Gideon van der Merwe. Picture: Morgan Piek

Friedle Oliver returns from a calf niggle and has been named on the bench and will provide cover at lock.

Jasper and the fiery flanker, Gideon van der Merwe, will both be playing in their 50th games for the Cheetahs.

The Cheetahs’ assistant coach Charl Strydom told OFM Sport they also have a strong team for the playoff match.

“We can’t influence who they are going to pick and we’ve got our full EPCR Challenge Cup side that’s going to play in Europe at the end of the year,” said Strydom.

“You don’t have any influence, and like you said, last year the Bulls brought their best, and we guys that are hiding over here, we’re always going to give ourselves a chance, and it’s playoff rugby.

“You never know their approach, and if they will still be able to play that game with a bit more pressure on them, but yes, we’ll be ready for whatever they bring.”

Saturday’s semi-final at Ellis Park kicks off at 14:30.

Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude

Replacements - 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Beertjie an Vuren, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 JC Pretorius, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Kelly Mpeku

Cheetahs – 15 Michael Annies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Evardi Boshoff, 11 Daniel Kasende, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Corné Fourie, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Friedle Olivier, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 George Lourens, 23 Litha Nkula

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh