With the senion team playing the Super Rugby quarter-final match against the Lions in Johannesburg the following day, this Currie Cup team will therefore not feature a number of frontline players for this opening match of the tournament. This scenario creates an ideal opportunity to test the depth we have in our squad and the youngsters will need to make the step-up.

Daniel’s experience as well as versatility make him the ideal leader for this side that is very well-balanced.

Odwa Ndungane on the wing and S’bura Sithole at outside center will be called on to rally the young backline and provide calmness and leadership.

Daniel, will also call for fellow loose-forwards Jacques Vermeulen and Khaya Majola to lead by example, both of who have represented the Cell C Sharks on numerous occasions.

New signings Tyler Paul and Ross Geldenhuys, who both played Super Rugby for the Kings, have been named in the team. Geldenhuys, has signed a one year contract with the Cell C Sharks, and will bring massive experience to the front row for this match.

Getting their campaign off to a successful start will be paramount in the minds of the players for Friday night’s 7pm kickoff at Free State Stadium.

The Cheetahs may be out of Super Rugby, but they will look to put that disappointment behind them and use motivation from a successful 2016 Currie Cup campaign when they went the entire season unbeaten before comprehensively defeating the Blue Bulls in the final.

Most of the players named in this week’s team have played together in the Supersport Rugby Challenge and continuity for the Cell C Sharks as far as playing personnel go will count in their favour, as will a burning desire to perform with distinction and success.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rosco Specman, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Niell Jordaan, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements – 16 Ox Nche, 17 Reinach Venter, 18 Rynier Bernardo, 19 Chris Dry, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 JW Jonker, 22 Cecil Afrika.

Sharks - 15 Courtney Winnaar, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 S’bura Sithole, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Illunga Mukendi, 10 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 9 Rowan Gouws, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Khaya Mjola, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Wian Vosloo, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Kieron van Vuuren, 1 Mzamo Majola.

Replacements - 16 Andrew du Plessis, 17 Thierry Kounga, 18 Tyler Paul, 19 Bandisa Ndlovu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Brandan Bailing, 22 Inny Radebe.

- Sharks