Head coach Frans Steyn has made five changes to his side for this important fixture, one of which was forced by injury. 

Scrumhalf Rewan Kruger has been ruled out with a concussion, with Jandré ‘Smiley’ Nel stepping in at halfback to partner with George Lourens, who retains the flyhalf role. On the wing, Banie Britz comes into the starting lineup, while Litha Nkula moves to the bench, where he will also provide cover at flyhalf.

Robert Hunt. Photo: Morgan Piek

In the pack, Neels Volschenk starts at eighth-man, while Daniel Maartens will wear the number six jersey. Namibian international hooker Chucky van der Westhuizen will captain the team. Pieter Jansen van Vuren starts at lock alongside Carl Wegner, as the regular captain, Victor Sekekete, is unavailable for this match.

The bench sees the return of three previously injured players – tighthead prop Rob Hunt, centre Ali Mgijima, and outside back Michael Annies – all of whom are fit and ready to compete again after picking up niggles earlier this year during the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Steyn told OFM Sport that he is pleased to have his injured players back and hopes they will follow the example set by Nel when he came off the bench in the second half of their 45-29 defeat to the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.

“If you come off the bench, we need you to set a good example for the others. Jandré did that, and hopefully, he can do the same from the start this week.”

Van der Westhuizen, who started his career in Potchefstroom and knows the rugby culture in the North West well, told OFM Sport that the Leopards won’t back down, despite their 64-7 loss to Griquas in round one.

Michael Annies. Photo: Morgan Piek

“The Leopards always come out guns blazing – they want to beat bigger teams – that’s their mentality,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“We can’t expect anything less from them, and we plan on meeting them with a bang from the start.”

Friday’s battle of the big cats at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Jasper Cohen, 14 Prince Nkabinde,13 Raegan Oranje, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Banie Britz, 10 George Lourens, 9 Jandre Nel, 8 Pierre Uys, 7 Neels Volschenk, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Pieter Janse van Vuuren, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Litha Nkula, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Michael Annies

Leopards - TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh