apiwa Mafura returns to start at fullback again, while Cohen Jasper has been shifted to the left-wing in the absence of the injured Munier Hartzenberg.

Reinhardt Fortuin will start at flyhalf with Siya Masuku being dropped.

In the second-row, Mzwanele Zito, will start at lock, while in the front-row, Chucky van der Westhuizen starts at hooker ahead of Marnus van der Merwe.

Fortuin who has just extended his contract with the Cheetahs told OFM Sport that he excited to get a crack at playing in the number ten jersey again after playing at inside centre of late.

“I'm getting quite used to playing at the inside centre position, but I'm always to be playing at flyhalf again, said Fortuin.

“I'm just looking forward to enjoying playing in the number ten jersey again and help the team where I can.

“I'm not looking too far forward into playing at flyhalf. First we will tackle the Lions and then we'll take it one game at a time.”

Saturday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 George Cronjé, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Friedle Olivier, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Evardi Boshoff, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 George Lourens.

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Rhynhardt Rijnsburger.

Replacements - 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Darrien-Lane Landsburg, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Stean Pienaar, 23 Andries Coetzee.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport