Lourens slots in at flyhalf for the game in place of Reinhardt Fortuin, who is not in the match 23. The seasoned Sharks-bound Siya Masuku has been named on the bench as backup to Lourens, after the latter missed out on last week’s game against the Lions in Bloemfontein.

Fortuin is not available for the match this weekend as he is getting married.

Meanwhile, upfront the Cheetahs bulked up with Friedle Olivier starting on the flank at the expense of the in-form Siba Qoma. Qoma moves to the bench and should provide cover at loose-forward and at lock.

In addition, Rynier Bernardo, is back in the second-row after being rested against the Lions.

Marnus van der Merwe will start at hooker with the Namibian international Chucky van der Westhuizen dropping to the bench.

Dolph Botha has also been included on the bench at cover at prop after answering the SOS call on Sunday. Lawrence Victor misses out after sustaining a concussion against the Lions.

Rain is predicted for Friday night in Durban and this will be a fourth game in a row where the Cheetahs get to play in wet conditions.

Luckily the team has prepared extensively for the conditions, however, they are aware how much more important the forward battle will be.

The Cheetahs assistant coach, Charl Strydom, told OFM Sport that they aren’t losing sleep over the weather.

“Tomorrow evening it should rain as well, so it should be quite a wet field,” said Strydom.

“Luckily, we are used it because in the last three games in Bloemfontein we had rain as well. We are getting used to those conditions again.

“In preparing for the EPCR Challenge Cup we prepared for rain and it gives us an idea of what to expect and what to do with a wet ball. I think that we can expect a lot of kicking in the game.”

Friday night’s game at Kings’ Park kicks off at 19:05.

Sharks – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Lionel Cronjé, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Henco Venter, 7 James Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Jeandré Labuschagne, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements - 16 Dian Bleuler, 17 Dameon Venter, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Celimpilo Gumede, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Marnus Potgieter.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 George Cronjé, 7 Siba Qoma, 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 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 Dolph Botha, 19 Friedle Olivier, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Siya Masuku, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Evardi Boshoff.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport