Juan Venter will start at lock, while Sisonke Vumazonke has been named on the flank for a rare start. The live-wire poacher, Daniel Maartens, will also enjoy a rare start, and he will don the number six jersey.

On the bench, Thabang Mahlasi marks his return to the Cheetahs and will provide cover at lock and flank. Mahlasi, the former UFS Shimlas captain, recently rejoined the Cheetahs after a brief period without a contract. In the backline, Clayton Blommetjies will start at flyhalf, replacing Tiaan Swanepoel, who is sidelined with a groin niggle.

Thabang Mahlasi. Photo: Morgan Piek

Ethan Wentzel, who has been struggling with form, will come off the bench to provide cover at flyhalf. Franco Smith Jr gets a start at inside centre, forming a midfield partnership with Carel-Jan Coetzee. 

Winger Ntokozo Makhaza, who missed out in the win against the Pumas, returns to wear the number 14 jersey.

For Smith, the match is a special occasion after making his Currie Cup debut last week. He will face his brother for the first time in the competition, with young flyhalf Jean Smith playing for the Sharks. However, Jean has been rotated to the bench for the game in Clermont.

Ntokozo Mahkaza. Photo: Morgan Piek

Smith told OFM Sport that it will be special to play against his brother and that he knows the strengths of the former Junior Springbok pivot well.

“Oh, it’s extremely special, I think it’s always a privilege to play for the Cheetahs, and doing so this weekend in the Currie Cup against my brother is a massive privilege,” said Smith.

“I know he’s a very good player. He’s on a journey himself, so we’ll see. I’m very excited.

Juan Venter in action for the Shimlas against Wits in the Varsity Cup. Photo: Hannes Naude

“We haven’t really been on the beach together these past few years, with me being overseas and all, but I know what his strengths are, so we’ll see what happens.”

The Cheetahs bench is a strong one, and barring Mahlasi, every replacement player has EPCR Challenge Cup experience.

Saturday’s game at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium kicks off at 17:10.

Cheetahs – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Franco Smith, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Cameron Dawson

Replacements – 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Gideon van der Merwe, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Ethan Wentzel

Sharks – 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Matt Ramao, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane

Replacements – 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Coetzee Le Roux, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Albie Bester

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh