The Springbok centre, Francois Venter, hasn’t recovered from his ankle surgery yet and is not available to play for the foreseeable future.

This has left a vacancy in the leadership department, although it is something that hasn’t been giving the team sleepless nights.

Van Jaarsveld, Oupa Mohoje and Reniel Hugo are all able to fulfil the role, while all having prior experience. Furthermore, Franco Smith could have called upon players such as Tian Meyer, Francois Uys or even the Springbok U20 captain, Junior Pokomela.

While Venter’s presence will be missed in the midfield over the weekend the leadership is in good hands.

The Cheetahs finished the competition in 14th last year with a young and inexperienced side. The team is expected to fare a lot better this season considering that only three players in the 37-man Cheetahs squad doesn’t have prior Super Rugby experience.

Van Jaarsveld told OFM Sport that is looking to seeing how the team has grown as a unit over the past year.

“We’re really forward to the match this weekend, especially because it is a home game”, said the solid defender.

“It’s really going to be nice to see how the guys have grown as players over the past year and I’m sure their experience will show on the field.

“Last year in the Super Rugby we lost a lot of games by less than seven points and that’s due to a lack of experience.

“Hopefully the guys' development will show against the Lions this weekend”.

Franco Smith will be announcing his side on Thursday afternoon at 12:00.

Saturday’s Super Rugby match between the Cheetahs and the Lions at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein kicks off at 15:05.

Possible Cheetahs starting XV – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Rayno Benjamin, 12 Nico Lee, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Niel Jordan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Oupa Mohoje, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (Captain), 1 Ox Nche.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport