The centre, Dries Swanepoel, and the replacement flyhalf, Brandon Thomson, have both been withdrawn due to injury.

Chris Smit will start at centre with Duncan Saal coming onto the bench. Thomson, who was set for his Cheetahs debut, has been replaced by Howard Mnisi.

Meanwhile, the replacement lock, Jean Droste, who is also on debut, told OFM Sport that there are some butterflies.

“I'm really looking forward to making my Cheetahs debut against the Sharks.

“It's actually quite fitting that I will be making my debut against my former team. It's been a while since I've been on the field, but really looking forward to the challenge that the Sharks pose.

“I've got a good bunch of guys together and we had a good training week, so I feel that we have prepared well.

“I've got some butterflies, but all is good and we really can't wait to step out on the field again, and hopefully make all the Free State supporters happy, and hopefully we will produce the goods to beat the Sharks.”

This evening's game between the Cheetahs and Sharks at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 Chris Smit, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Aidon Davis, 7 George Cronjé, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements - 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Beertjie van Vuuren, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Brandon Thomson, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Duncan Saal.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Jordan Chait, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements - 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport