Maartens has played off the bench mostly for the Cheetahs since re-joining the side from the Pumas, and this is how the team prefers to use the live-wire player.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, said that they have little choice but to start with Maartens against the Pau.

“We would prefer to play Daniel from the bench, said Fourie.

“He is just more effective when the other team's players are fatigued and react slower at the breakdown. This gives him more time to pilfer the ball and create turnovers.

“If it's possible for us to play him off the bench then we will do it that way, but he is good enough to be in the starting team.

“The problem is that you have one less lineout option when you start with Daniel and Jeandré Rudolph. It is important for us to get a good ball at the lineout. One could see that on Friday against the Scarlets. In the first half, we battled to get quality ball from the lineout. 

“Those are the factors that decide if he will play in the starting team or not. With Siba Qoma out with an ankle injury we don't have any other choice but to start with him."

This will mean that the former Springbok XV flanker Roelof Smit could play off the bench as cover for Maartens.

Smit told OFM Sport that he looks forward to the possibility of playing for his new team for just the second time.

“It's sad to hear about Siba, but I'm really excited to hopefully get some game time,” said the former Lions and Bulls loose forward.

“I haven't played in a while, so I'm looking forward to getting some game time and body contact. Other than that, I can't wait for this weekend.”

Sunday’s match between the Cheetahs and Pau at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi kicks off at 17:15.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport