The match in Bloemfontein is a must-win game for both teams. The Cheetahs can book their spot in the semi-finals with a bonus point win on Saturday. They also want to return to winning ways after stumbling against the Lions and Sharks in their two previous games.

The Griquas in turn want to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win.

Pienaar replaces George Lourens in the number ten jersey, while Siya Masuku has been named on the bench as backup. Reinhardt Fortuin was not available for selection as he is still on honeymoon after getting married last week.

The Blitzboks-bound David Brits and Evardi Boshoff will start at centre.

Upfront, Friedle Olivier will start at 8th-man, while Laurence Victor will start at tighthead prop, and the hooker, Marnus van der Merwe, will play in his 50th match.

Olivier replaces George Cronjé at the back of the scrum, while Victor comes into the front-row with Hencus van Wyk rotating to the bench. The rookie tighthead Victor has completed his concussion protocol.

The Cheetahs will also see the return of the loosehead prop, Alulutho Tshakweni, from injury and he will play from the bench. In addition, three loose-forwards in the form of Cronjé, Andisa Ntsila and Daniel Maartens are among the replacements.

Saturday’s derby at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:30.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Evardi Boshoff, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Laurence Victor, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Andisa Ntsila, 20 George Cronjé, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Robert Ebersohn.

Griquas - 15 George Whitehead, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Carl Els, 7 Hanru Sirgel (captain), 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Els, 1 Kudzwai Dube.

Replacements - 16 Sean Swart, 17 Cebo Dlamini, 18 Justin Forwood, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Stephan Smit, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Eddie Fouché, 23 Sango Xamlashe.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport