Evardi Boshoff returns from injury and will play at centre alongside Frans Steyn. George Lourens will start at flyhalf with Branden de Kock playing at scrumhalf.

The Springbok, Rosko Specman and Munier Hartzenberg will play on the wing. Specman missed out last week due to the funeral of his late father.

Siba Qoma starts at flank, while Beertjie van Vuuren, Marko Janse van Rensburg and Schalk Ferreira on in the front-tow.

Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that they are keen to see how the new-look halfback combination will shape up on Friday.

“It's a good opportunity for both of them to show what they can do, said Fourie.

“They've had limited game-time since joining us. Branden injured his knee ligaments in a warm-up match against the Zimbabwe before the Toyota Challenge last year. He has been out for about 12 months, so he will be raring to go.

“George has just had a game against the Pumas since joining us.

“They trained well and they are both talented players. We look forward to seeing what they can do and how they will perform on Friday. We've got confidence in the abilities of both of them.”

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

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 George Lourens, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Oupa Mohoje, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Marnus van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Beertjie van Vuuren, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements - 16 Janus Venter, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jean Drosté, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Robert Ebersohn.

USA Falcons - 15 Marcel Brache, 14 Mitch Wilson, 13 Bryce Campbell (captain), 12 Paul Lasike, 11 Christian Dyer, 10 Luke Carty, 9 Nate Augspurger, 8 Jamason Fa'anana-Schultz, 7 Cory Daniel, 6 Viliamo Helu, 5 Nick Civetta, 4 Keni Nasoqeqe, 3 Paul Mullen, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 1 Jack Isacaro.

Replacements - 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Angus Maclellan, 19 Siaosi Mahoni, 20 Cam Dolan, 21 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 22 Tavite Lopeit, 23 Chris Mattina.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport