The Bulls have sent a strong squad to Ireland for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster; however, a lot of seasoned players stayed behind to play against the Cheetahs.

The Bulls are desperate to earn their first win after back-to-back defeats to the Pumas and Western Province.

The Cheetahs assistant coach, Charl Strydom, told OFM Sport that they wouldn’t face a weak Bulls team.

"They've still got a proper side coming here," said Strydom.

"They've had disappointments, so they are going to be wounded and we know what the Bulls are like when they are wounded.

"We've really improved our physicality in the games that we've played thus far, especially from a defensive point of view.

"It should be a really good game, but we don't even want to think about the Toulon game before we play against the Bulls. The most important focus for us is this week."

Friday’s game at the Toyota Stadium will kick off at 17:05.

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Munier Hartzebberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Lawrence Victor, 19 Sibabalo Qoma, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 David Brits, 23 Tapiwa Mafura

Bulls - 15 Franco Knoetze, 14 Quewin Nortje, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Lionel Mapoe, 11 Kabelo Mokoena, 10 Chris Barent Smit, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Mihhali Mosi, 6 Cameron Hanekom, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Lizo Gqoboka (captain)

Replacements - 16 Joe Van Zyl, 17 Jacques Van Rooyen, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Juan Van Der Westhuizen, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Bernard Van Der Linde, 22 Adriaan Joubert, 23 Juan Mostert

Morgan Piek OFM Sport