The Springbok centre, Francois Venter, is still out injured and this sees Niel Marais and Nico Lee run out in the midfield again.

Upfront Jacques du Toit runs out at hooker in the place of the injured Torsten van Jaarsveld. Tom Botha is rotated to the bench with Aranos Coetzee starting at tighthead.

Henco Venter starts at flank, while Clinton Swart has also been named on the bench.

The coach Rory Duncan has urged the Cheetahs faithful to come and support the boys on Saturday.

“It’s actually the South African derby that we are going to have on home turf. It’s a great one for our supporters to come out and watch.

“Someone mentioned that we are fighting for bragging rights to be the South African champions in Pro Rugby, so we urge the supporters to come out this weekend and back the team.”

Saturday afternoons’ game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Niel Marais, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements – 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Clinton Swart 23 AJ Coetzen.

Southern Kings - 15 Ntabeni Dukisa, 14 Michael Makase, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Rowan Gouws, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Tienie Burger, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Tango Balekile, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Lindokuhle Welemu, 20 Eital Bredenkamp, 21 Poerie van Rooyen, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Berton Klaasen.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport