The seasoned Robert Ebersohn and Chris Smit will start at centre for the game, while Reinhardt Fortuin will be playing at flyhalf.

Jeandré Rudolph and Aidon Davis are in the starting loose-trio, while Rynier Bernardo returns from injury to start at lock.

Schalk Ferreira will be starting at loosehead prop, while Chucky van der Westhuizen returns to the starting line-up at hooker.

The captain, Ruan Pienaar, will be playing his 50th game for the Cheetahs, but he told OFM Sport the focus isn’t on his milestone.

“It's great to have my family here in Bloemfontein with me being back at the team that I grew up supporting.

“My dad played in 169 games for the Free State, so it's going to be a proud day for the family, but like coach Hawies Fourie said there are more important things than my 50th cap.

“We let ourselves down last week and we would like to rectify all the mistakes we made against the Griquas.”

Friday night’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Marné Coetzee, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Mihlali Mosi, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 David Brits.

Pumas - 15 Devon Williams, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Eddie Fouché, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswell September, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corné Fourie.

Replacements - 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Kwanda Dimaza, 20 André Fouché, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Diego Appollis.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport