Cohen Jasper will start at fullback with Tapiwa Mafura moving to the bench, while Evardi Boshoff replaces Robert Ebersohn at centre.

Upfront, Andisa Ntsila and Sibabalo Qoma start in the backrow, while Mzwanele Zito starts at lock.

Gideon van der Merwe also returns to the mix after being rested against the Lions.

Aranos Coetzee returns from injury and Namibian international will start at tighthead prop, while Schalk Ferreira starts at loosehead prop against.

The flyhalf, Siya Masuku, also returns from injury and will play off the bench. Masuku hyperextended his elbow against the Sharks in a Currie Cup warm-up game some six weeks ago. He has been training with the team before their recent departure to France, however, he now has the greenlight to return to play.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport getting Masuku back from injury is certainly a boost, and it will allow them to conserve the seasoned scrumhalf, Ruan Pienaar a little more.

“It's a pity that he got injured,” said Fourie.

“He kicked us to a victory against Pau and his confidence was high. I would have liked for him to kick on from there, so it's a pity that he had to sit out for about six weeks.

“He has trained well this week and has been training with the team for a couple of weeks now. He just had to gain some confidence on defence with that elbow. He is fine now and we are looking forward to him coming back.

“His kicking game is important to us and it allows us to give Ruan Pienaar a bit of a break as well. Ruan is out main kicker and Siya is the next best, so if we can afford it, we will pull Ruan off the field. Siya will then take over the kicking duties and that will help us as well.”

Saturday's game at the Cape Town Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

WP – TBA

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 David Brits, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Tapiwa Mafura

Morgan Piek OFM Sport