The team that will be coached by Gert Smal, will be led by seasoned Springbok veterans Morné Steyn and Bismarck du Plessis as captain and deputy respectively.

Wandisile Simelane, who recently joined the Vodacom Bulls from across the Jukskei, starts in the fullback position where he will be looking to assert himself in his newfound position. The outside backs will be completed by the dangerous combination of Izzy Novuka and Stravino Jacobs. The latter having scored a sensational try last weekend against Edinburgh in the VURC.

Hard running Muller Uys will pack down at No8 with Phumzile Maqondwana and Raynhard Mouton flanking down on along either side of him. Bismarck du Plessis will anchor the scrum at hooker, with experienced campaigners in Jacques van Rooyen and Dylan Smith propping it up.

Smal is also rewarding Wiehan Bezuidenhout and Juan van der Westhuizen with opportunities after sterling performances in the Carlton Cup. Carlton Cup winning coaches Riaan Brandt and Christo Bezuidenhout from Centurion RC have also been invited to join the coaching team for this outing.

“We’re excited about the challenge, as it will give our structures and depth a real test. It’s a going to be a busy season ahead with a few competitions overlapping, so managing 2 games this Friday will give us a good indication of what to expect.” – Jake White, Director of Rugby, Blue Bulls Company

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements – 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Marné Coetzee, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Marnus van der Merwe, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 David Britz, 23 Cohen Jasper.

Bulls - 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Izzy Novuka, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuuren, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn (Captain), 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Raynhard Mouton, 5 Ruan Vermaak, 4 Merwe Olivier, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dylan Smith

Replacements - 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Wiehan Bezuidenhout, 18 Mhleli Dlamini, 19 Juan van der Westhuizen, 20 Abulele Ndabambi, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 FC du Plessis