Ntsila was named in the starting XV for the game with Jeandré Rudolph being given a breather. Ntsila made his return to the first game against the Pumas recently while the bulk of the squad was in France for their EPCR Challenge Cup game against Toulon.

Ntsila had been out of action for several months following an injury he sustained against the very same Pumas during the Currie Cup last year.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that he is happy to rest key players and replace them with players of the quality of Ntsila.

“From our point of view, Jeandré Rudolph had a good game against the Lions with 18 carries and 17 tackles. He was our man of the match. 

“Andy played well against Pumas after his long lay-off and he made a lot of ball carries. 

“He deserves an opportunity and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to give Jeandré a break and to give a quality player like Andy time on the field.

“The season is still long and wherever we can do it and if the players are sharp, we’ll keep rotating without disrupting the team.”

Saturday’s game between Western Province and the Cheetahs 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