While the Griquas have made just two injury-enforced changes to their side, Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn has opted for a new-look team as they look to topple the defending champions on their home turf in the derby. This also doubles as the OFM Cup Challenge.

Former Montpellier and Edinburgh fullback Henry Immelman earns his first start at fullback, while Cohen Jasper returns on the right wing. Last week’s hat-trick hero, Prince Nkabinde, is the only backline player to retain his place in the starting XV and will once again line up on the left wing.

Rewan Kruger. Photo: Morgan Piek

Jooste Nel starts at inside centre, while Carel-Jan Coetzee comes into the side at outside centre in place of the injured Munier Hartzenberg.

Ethan Wentzel has been handed the No. 10 jersey, with Rewan Kruger partnering him at scrumhalf. The loose trio remains unchanged, with Neels Volschenk, Juan Venter and Ramon Uys retaining their places.

Victor Sekekete takes over the captaincy from Volschenk, while Simon Miller earns his first start in the second row after making his debut off the bench last weekend.

The new-look front row features Frankie Dos Reis, the energetic Juan Smal and former Junior Springbok Tebogo Nkosi.

There is plenty of experience on the bench, with Daniel Maartens, Faf de Klerk, Jaco van der Walt and Michael Annies all providing impact.

Steyn told OFM Sport that although the Cheetahs are currently at the top of the Currie Cup standings, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Juan Smal and Tebogo Nkosi. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re on top of the log, but I don’t think we have played as well as we wanted to so far,” said Steyn.

“Going to Griquas is going to be tough. It’s our first away game, but hopefully the plan we have in place will work out for us.”

Steyn added that while the coaching staff have done their homework, it is also important to give every player an opportunity as the season progresses.

“There is opportunity for us, but we need to get all of our people on the same page and to a level that will help us going forward as well,” he added.

“Like I said, I think it’s going to be tough, but I think there’s opportunity for us as well.

“We’ve got video analysis these days and all of that, so we’ve got a plan, and hopefully our plan works.”

Friday night’s derby between the two old rivals at the Suzuki Stadium kicks off at 19:00.

Griquas – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Connor Mahoney, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (captain), 4 Lungisi Mbiko, 3 Ig Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements – 16 Janus Venter, 17 Corné Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Carel van der Merwe, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Sako Makata

Cheetahs – 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Simon Miller, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi

Replacements – 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Michael Annies

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm