Munier Hartzenberg was also set to return, but his comeback has been delayed as a precaution. On the bench, the fleet-footed Michael Annies is set to make his return after recovering from a foot fracture he sustained in the SA Cup semi-finals.

In other changes, Carel-Jan Coetzee will start at outside centre, while Clayton Blommetjies takes the fullback spot in place of James Verity-Amm. Marco Jansen van Vuren is unavailable for the game, as he will be attending his sister’s wedding.

Prince Nkabinde Photo: Morgan Piek

Up front, Cameron Dawson and Frankie Dos Reis will start in the front row after coming off the bench last week. Among the replacements, Banie Britz comes onto the bench, and 20-year-old tighthead prop Ben Pitout also makes the squad.

Nkabinde, who hasn’t played since fracturing his thumb against the Suzuki Griquas in the warm-up game in Bultfontein, told OFM Sport that he’s eager to run out against his former team.

“I’m excited – it’s been a frustrating six weeks for me, but I took it in a positive way to better myself and focus on the off-field stuff. I can’t wait to play again tomorrow against the Lions here in Bloemfontein,” said Nkabinde.

“It’s a huge game. I mean, I think in the top six, anyone can be number one at this stage, so it’s a big game for us to get points against the Lions. If we get five points tomorrow, we’ll stay at the top of the log. So it’s a very, very important game for us.”

Nkabinde, who joined the Cheetahs in 2024 from Johannesburg, added that while the game is personal for him, every match he plays for the seven-time champions carries the same meaning.

“It’s personal for me. Every time I wear the Cheetahs jersey, it’s exciting. I just want to make the fans proud, make myself proud, and do the team proud. So every game for me is personal, and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Michael Annies. Photo: Morgan Piek

He added that the Lions play a similar brand of rugby to the Cheetahs, so it will be crucial to be the better team on the day.

“Yeah, of course. We’re playing a similar style to the Lions, so we’re looking forward to moving the ball around tomorrow. Obviously, they’re in good form too, so we’ll have to match them.”

Saturday’s game at Toyota Stadium kicks off at 14:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Banie Britz, 23 Michael Annies

Lions - 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Kelly Mpeku, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Morné Brandon, 1 Juan Schoeman

Replacements - 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Dylan Sjöblom, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Tapiwa Mafura

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh