Herne acted as Marko Janse van Rensburg and Mark Pretorius’ understudy so far in this campaign but gets his opportunity with Pretorius off with a hamstring injury.

Flanker Lambert Groenewald also had to be replaced due to a shoulder injury. Brian Shabangu, who started from the bench recently, has also been called up to the starting line-up.

Herne has scored three tries from the bench this season and is a vital cog in the side’s driving mauls.

Their top try-scorers in the competition are Mark Pretorius, Khwezi Mona, Trompie Pretorius and Ruwellyn Isbell on four each.

Flanker Francois Kleynhans has also been named on the bench after recovering from a head injury.

The backs however, remains unchanged.

Pumas - 15  Justin van Staden, 14 Jerome Pretorius, 13 Gerrit Smith, 12 Hennie Skorbinski (captain), 11 Ruwellyn Isbell, 10 Kobus Marais, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Brian Shabangu, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Stefan Willemse, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Frankie Herne, 1 Kwezi Mona.

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 De-Jay Terblanche, 18 Cameron Lindsay, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Hilton Lobberts, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Selom Gavor.