The unbeaten Shimlas will be without the services of their hat-trick hero against Maties, Thabo Ndimande, for the derby against their city rivals.

The former Junior Springbok, Ndimande, picked up a hamstring injury on the weekend and has been ruled out for the important game in the City of Roses.

Lohan Potgieter, who represented the Toyota Cheetahs on a few occasions last year has been called up to the starting XV in the place of Ndimande.

The prop, Johan Schutte, and lock, Nathan Jordan, will also miss out on the derby through injury. Melusi Mtabela will start in the front row while Reinier Viljoen will start at lock. Viljoen also represented the Cheetahs on a few occasions last year.

Monday’s big derby at CUT Park will kick off at 17:00.

Ixias – 15 David Cary, 14 Tsepo Malumane, 13 Gian Bester, 12 Jandré de Beer, 11 Jacquin van Wyk, 10 Xavier Swartbooi, 9 Zinedene Booysen, 8 Luvuyo Ndevu (captain), 7 Francois Bester, 6 Jan Kotze, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Ulrich Stander, 3 Cohen Kiewit, 2 Tiaan Drotske, 1 Albertus Venter.

Replacements - 16 Tebogo Masemola, 17 Sisipho Nofuya, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Matthew Sekele, 20 Niel Venter, 21 Teboho Rampai, 22 Christiaan Venter, 23 Karabo Maqeba.

Shimlas - 15 Litha Nkula, 14 Cham Zondeki, 13 Janco van Heyningen, 12 Janco Klinck, 11 Asanda Kunene, 10 George Lourens, 9 Chadd Adams, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Lourens Oosthuizen, 6 Lohan Potgieter, 5 Thabang Mahlasi (captain), 4 Reinier Viljoen, 3 Blaine Golden, 2 William Moffat, 1 Melusi Mthabela.

Replacements – 16 Wihan Marais, 17 Loyiso Peteni, 18 JW Meades, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Avumile Bongco, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Jooste Nel, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport