The Springbok winger, Sbu Nkosi, is locked and loaded to make his Toyota Cheetahs debut on Saturday when they face the Griquas in a SA Cup warm-up match that will be played in Jacobsdal.

Nkosi has been named in the starting XV for the match and he will jog out on the right wing.

The World Cup-winner joined the Cheetahs earlier this month after being in the rugby wilderness following his departure from the Bulls last year.

For Nkosi, being at the Cheetahs is a new chapter in his career following his well-documented off-field issues.

Nkosi told OFM Sport that he is excited to start the revival of his once promising career.

“I'm having a great time and I'm excited for my debut,” said the new Cheetahs speedster.

“We're building something different and something special here and we're excited to get on the field and see how it translates against live opposition and live pressure.

“I'm very excited and I'm thankful to the coaches for giving their vote of confidence for my first start.

“It symbolises a new part in my career, and it's going to ultimately lead to more legendary moments... I hope.”

Nkosi has played in 16 Tests for the Springboks and he has already scored nine tries.

Other players that will get their first run in a Cheetahs jersey on Saturday are the hooker Vernon Paulo, flanker/lock Thabang Mahlasi, loose forward Ulrich Stander and the teenage scrumhalf Christiaan van der Westhuizen.

Paulo represented the NWU Eagles in the Varsity Cup and was part of the team that won the competition in 2023. Mahlasi in turn is a former UFS Shimlas captain, while Stander represented the CUT Ixias in the Varsity Cup. Van der Westhuizen only matriculated from Grey College last year and sacrificed his December holidays to train with the Cheetahs.

Saturday’s match at Landboudal kicks off at 15:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Andell Loubser, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Sibabalo Xamlashe, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Friedle Olivier, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Ulrich Stander, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Litha Nkula, 23 Christiaan van der Westhuizen

Griquas - 15 George Whitehead, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Bingo Ivanisevic, 11 Sako Makata, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Stephan Smit (captain), 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Athenkosi Khethani, 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Kudzwai Dube.

Replacements - 16 Janco Uys, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Niel Otto, 21 Jac van der Walt, 21 Xavier Swartbooi, 22 Jay-Cee Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney, 24 Cameron

Morgan Piek OFM Sport