The most notable change to the team is at eighth-man where the Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, comes into the starting XV. The former Cheetah, Vermeulen, replaces Tim Agaba at the back of the scrum with the latter dropping out of the match-day team entirely.

Vermeulen also takes over the captaincy from Arno Botha who led the team last week during the hard-fought 30-23 win over the Griquas at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Into the other change to the pack, Johan Grobbelaar replaces Corniel Els at hooker.

In the backline, Embrose Papier earns a start at the expense of Ivan van Zyl who has been rotated to the bench.

Another former Cheetah, Clinton Swart, debuts for the Bulls at inside centre, while Cornal Hendricks completes the midfield combination.

The Grey College old boy, David Kriel, will start on the right-wing while Travis Ismaiel drops out of the match 23.

Nizaam Carr and Joe van Zyl are on debut from the Bulls if Jake White opts to field them during the game.

Friday evening’s game at the Toyota Stadium in the City of Roses kicks off at 19:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements – 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Chris Massyn, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 William Small-Smith.

Bulls - 15 Gio Aplon, 14 David Kriel, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements - 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Stedman Gans.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport