The Cheetahs were forced into naming an alternate squad as the senior players are in France to face Toulon in the European Challenge Cup.

The former SA Schools captain, Cronjé will also make his return to the field after a long injury lay-off.

The winger, Siba Xamlashe, will also make his long awaited debut, while George Lourens and Branden de Kock, will form the halfback combination.

Tier Schoeman who played for the Cheetahs in the past will make his return off the bench.

Several players as such the former SA Schools captain and Junior Springbok, Jacques Goosen, will play for the Cheetahs and linking up with the team as loan players from Villagers RFC in Cape Town.

The 21-year-old Cronjé told OFM Sport to be able to captain the team is a dream come true.

“It's a very big honour and a privilege to represent the Free State, and it's even more so to do it as the captain,” said the product of Grey College.

“This is something that only a few guys get to do. It's a dream come true, but I actually can't put into words how I am feeling.

“I'm just grateful to be back on the field and being able to play against, and that as the captain.”

Friday nights’ game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:05.

Cheetahs - 15 Andell Loubser, 14 Siba Xamlashe, 13 Marcell Muller, 12 Evardi Boshoff, 11 Xolisa Guma, 10 George Lourens, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 George Cronjé (captain), 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Jean Drosté, 4 Ruan van Rensburg, 3 Lawrence Victor, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Wayrin Losper.

Replacements – 16 Jacques Goosen, 17 Kevin Stevens, 18 Boeta Loubscher, 19 Johnré Stopforth, 20 Tier Schoeman, 21 Dian Koen, 22 Zinedine Booysen, 23 Thoubaan Gabriels.

Pumas - 15 Devon Williams, 14 Etienne Taljaard, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Franna Kleinhans, 6 André Fouché, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4Deon Slabbert, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements - 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Juice Gumede, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Stefan Coetzee

Morgan Piek OFM Sport