In the backline, Michael Annies earns a start on the wing after returning from injury last week during the 69-0 victory over the Leopards in Bloemfontein. Meanwhile, Litha Nkula moves from the bench to start on the left wing.

Ali Mgijima, who also returned from injury last week, starts at inside centre against his former team, while Jooste Nel shifts to the bench.

Frankie Dos Reis (right) after winning the 2024 Varsity Cup. Photo: Hannes Naude/ASEM Engage

Up front, Jeandré Rudolph starts at eighth man, while Victor Sekekete returns to the second row. However, hooker Chucky van der Westhuizen retains the captaincy.

The bench includes a debutant in tighthead prop Frankie Dos Reis, who will make his first appearance for the Cheetahs. Dos Reis, who was schooled in Paarl, played in the number three jersey for the University of the Free State Shimlas during their Varsity Cup-winning campaign last year.  While primarily a prop, he is also familiar with the hooker position.

The inclusion of Dos Reis comes as a necessity, with tightheads Rob Hunt and Laurence Victor both ruled out due to illness. This has thrust him into the deep end, though he has been training with the Cheetahs for quite some time.

“He’s been working hard, and I believe he has earned this opportunity,” said head coach Steyn. “I’m excited to see what he brings to the game this weekend, and I’m happy for him to get his chance.”

Steyn also emphasised the importance of having Mgijima in the starting lineup, particularly with the centre position under pressure due to injuries.

Frankie Dos Reis. Photo: Catherine Kotze/ASEM Engage

“It’s great to have him back – he needs to perform because Jooste didn’t do anything wrong last week. With us going for a 6-2 split on the bench, we’ve had to deal with some injuries. We also have some paperwork to sort out regarding Tiaan Swanepoel.

“Ali is a hard player, and hopefully, he doesn’t take himself out with the first tackle this time – we need him to stay on the field. But it’s good to see some of the guys returning, and the squad is improving every week.”

Friday’s match between the Pumas and the Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

Pumas –  15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart (captain), 9 Ross Braude, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Etienne Janeke

Replacements - 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Eduan Swart, 19 Hanno Theunissen, 20 André Fouche, 21 Conor van Eden, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Lundi Msenge

Cheetahs – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Raegan Oranje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 George Lourens, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Neels Volschenk, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Jooste Nel

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek