Swart was named at inside centre for the match and will partner with Nico Lee in the midfield.

Fred Zeilinga will start at flyhalf for the match, while Niel Marais has been named on the bench.

Tian Meyer will play at scrumhalf with Shaun Venter injured while Zee Mkhabela will start on the bench and is also on debut.

Upfront Charles Marais starts at loosehead prop, while Aranos Coetzee is on the tighthead.

The coach Franco Smith said because Smith is on debut, he feels inside centre is the better position for him.

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

Meanwhile, in this morning’s Super Rugby match the Blues thrashed the Melbourne Rebels 56-18 at AAMI Park.

Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer Venter, 8 Tier Schoeman, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (Captain), 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements -  16 Elandré Huggett, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Ox Nche, 19 Francois Uys, 20 Niell Jordaan, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Niel Marais, 23 Rayno Benjamin.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport