With Boom Prinsloo ruled out through injury for the remainder of the competition, Lobberts cracks the nod and will play at flank.

Springbok flank, Oupa Mohoje, has been called up to the Cheetahs side after returning to action in the Currie Cup last week following a lengthy injury lay-off and he will play off the bench.

Coach Franco Smith told OFM Sport that he is delighted to have Mohoje back.

“I think we are in a privileged position. Hilton has been knocking on the door for a while now and I’m excited to give him a start.

“I think he is itching to contribute. That is what we are aiming to do, give guys a chance when injuries arrive, have them contribute and that is what the group is about.

“I’m excited to see him and very excited to have Oupa back in the squad as well. He was disappointed getting injured at the beginning of the pre-season.

“On Saturday, he looked good for the Currie Cup side and had some good contact and handled the match intensity well. I’m looking forward to adding him to the group.

“His lineout work is exceptional, and if we can get him to play to his strengths without adding any other pressure on him, we will be successful, I’m sure.”

Captain Francois Venter told OFM Sport that he hasn’t fully recovered from a broken nose he sustained against the Bulls, but will be ready to lead his team on Friday evening.

The last and only time these two teams have met in the competition, the Cheetahs came from behind to beat the Japanese newbies 32-31 in Singapore.

Tomorrow night’s clash at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein kicks off at 19:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Francois Venter (Captain), 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Tier Schoeman, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Hilton Lobberts, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements - 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Oupa Mohoje, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Fred Zeilinga.



Morgan Piek/OFM News