Scrumhalf Rewan Kruger is out with a concussion, and this will see Jandré “Smiley” Nel earn a start in the No. 9 jersey. When Nel came on as a substitute in the 45–29 defeat to the Boland Cavaliers, he scored a brace of tries as the Cheetahs mounted a comeback effort, briefly moving into the lead. 

The veteran lock Carl Wegner is fine after his knock in Wellington, but the team may opt to field a new second-row pairing. The versatile backline player, Banie Britz, who has just returned after a long injury layoff, will also earn a start on the wing. Britz has hardly played since sustaining a broken arm in the Currie Cup last year. In the match he did play, he impressed and scored a try.

Jandré Nel and Michael Annies. Photo: Morgan Piek

It is expected that a few of the more senior players will be rested for the match to give some of the younger players, such as Britz, a decent run. Flyhalf George Lourens will retain the No. 10 jersey, while the centre partnership of Jooste Nel and Raegan Oranje will most likely remain unchanged in the midfield.

There is some very welcome news, with exciting outside back Michael Annies having recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained while scoring a try for the Cheetahs in Amsterdam during the EPCR Challenge Cup. Annies will make his return this week off the bench.

Britz, who was previously on the books at the Sharks, told OFM Sport that his few minutes in the second half against Boland was tough, but he is excited to start on Friday night and looks to impress. “It was good – my chest just burnt a bit, but it was hot down there as well, so that's understandable,” said Britz, who can play on the wing or at centre.

“This week I’m starting, so I’m hoping to have a bigger impact on the game. It’s going to be nice because my family is coming down to watch. I hope the fans also come out to fill the Toyota Stadium for the first time in a long time, so I’m excited to be starting in the backline.

“This SA Cup is a great tournament for us youngsters to come through – and for the bigger unions to see the potential in the young players who are being backed.”

Meanwhile, winger Prince Nkabinde, who scored the Cheetahs’ first try of the tournament, told OFM Sport that their long bus trip back home from Boland allowed the players to reflect on their performance against Boland.

“Of course, there was a lot of soul-searching, like you said. I mean, they prepared really well – I think they had about five warm-up games prior to this, and we didn’t,” said the former UJ star in the Varsity Cup.  “It’s not an excuse though – we had new coaches and new players coming in as well, but we have to look forward to the next one and prepare very well.

Prince Nkabinde. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We looked at ourselves in the mirror after the game this past weekend, and the next game is against the Leopards here in Bloem. Are we ready to play at home? After that, we have a tough one against the Pumas as well – so it’s going to be a good one to prepare for.”

Friday night’s battle of the big cats between the Cheetahs and Matthew Proudfoot’s Leopards at Toyota Stadium will kick off at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh