Upfront, Boan Venter earns his first start for the Cheetahs in the PRO14, and he will play at loosehead prop following the departure of Ox Nche to the Sharks.

Joseph Dweba will be playing his 50th game in all competition for the Cheetahs this weekend.

In the second-row, the towering JP du Preez comes into the starting team and he will partner Sintu Manjezi.

In the back-row, Sias Koen earns his first start for the Cheetahs and he will go hunting alongside Junior Pokomela and Jasper Wiese.

In other changes to the backline, Clayton Blommetjies, moves from the right to the left wing, with William Small-Smith starting in the number 14 jersey.

Louis Fouché comes in at inside centre following the three-match suspension of Dries Swanepoel. This also means that Benhard Janse van Rensburg will move back to outside centre.

Walt Steenkamp, Gerhard Olivier, Ruan Pienaar and Anthony Volmink all move to the bench.

Erich de Jager who joined the team on tour this week has also been named on the bench, while Wilmar Arnoldi, retains his role as the backup hooker.

Dweba told OFM Sport that playing in his 50th game for the Cheetahs is exciting but ultimately the team comes first.

“It’s a 50th for me, it’s quite exciting and it’s quite emotional as well. I am thankful for the opportunity and I am thankful for everything that has been happening as well.

“It has been a long two and a half years of fighting to get to where I am now. Each and every weekend I make sure that I enjoy the game that I love. I make sure that the team comes first. Everything I do, I do for the team.

“I want the team to go forward. If the team goes forward I go forward and it helps me to grow as a player.

 “I feel like we are stronger as a team from where we started in the PRO14 as to where we are now. As you could see last weekend we are not a pushover anymore.”

Saturday’s game between the Scarlets and Toyota Cheetahs at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli kicks off at 17:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Louis Fouché, 11 Clayton Blommetjies, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Sias Koen, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements - 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Luan de Bruin, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Anthony Volmink.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport