Craig Barry and Malcolm Jaer will start on the wings for the match in Bloemfontein. The winger, Cohen Jasper, does not come into consideration for the match due to a hamstring injury.

Upfront, Jacques Potgieter, returns from illness to start on the flank, while in the front-row, Cameron Dawson, start at loosehead prop, with Alulutho Tshakweni rotating to the bench.

The bench also sees the long-awaited return of the energetic flanker, Andisa Ntsila.

The winger, Duncan Saal (dislocated shoulder) and loose-forward, Jeandré Rudolph (knee) are not available for selections.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that Ntsila has an important role to play.

“Andi is a quality player. He has been injured for a while and he is ready to go.

“The plan was always to try and bring him back in this game, or against the Sharks on Sunday in Durban.

“We are glad that he recovered a bit earlier. With Jeandré's injury he will be massive for us, especially at the breakdown in slowing down the ball and winning some turns overs.”

Wednesday night’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 David Brits, 12 Siya Masuku, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Jean Drosté, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements – 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Mihlali Mosi, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Chris Smit.

Lions - 15 Duncan Matthews, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 André Warner, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruhan Straueli, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements – 16 PJ Botha, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Emmanuel Tshituka, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Henco van Wyk.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport