With the Cheetahs chasing a home semi-final, it is a significant call from coach Frans Steyn, particularly given De Klerk’s impact since joining the Bloemfontein side.

The Bulls are still searching for their first victory of the campaign, but they came agonisingly close last weekend, going down 33-31 to the Pumas in Pretoria. The Cheetahs will therefore know they cannot afford to take their opponents lightly.

Rewan Kruger and Jaco van der Walt against the Lions. Photo: Morgan Piek

Rewan Kruger gets the nod at scrumhalf and has impressed in recent weeks. He featured for only 25 minutes against the Suzuki Griquas, while Jandré Nel is named among the replacements for his first Currie Cup appearance of the season.

Cohen Jasper moves to fullback in the absence of Clayton Blommetjies, with Michael Annies and the in-form Prince Nkabinde on the wings.

Jooste Nel and Zander du Plessis continue their partnership in midfield, while Jaco van der Walt returns to marshal the backline.

Up front, Simon Miller and Daniel Maartens start on the flanks, with Victor Sekekete joined by the returning Arno van der Merwe in the second row. Van der Merwe makes his comeback after a lengthy injury layoff.

Aranos Coetzee, Juan Smal and Tebogo Nkosi complete the front row. The bench also receives a boost, with tighthead prop John-Kelly Okonkwo and Namibian international flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel returning from injury.

While De Klerk will watch from the sidelines, Steyn said the experienced scrumhalf has quickly become an invaluable member of the Cheetahs squad.

Faf de Klerk will not be playing against the Bulls. Photo: Morgan Piek

“The love he has for the Cheetahs over the past couple of weeks, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for this team,” Steyn told the media this week.

“He’s all in and wants to see this team get better every day, and for that, the players have a lot of respect for him. He’s a good team man – he listens to everybody and will speak up when he thinks we can do something better.”

Daniel Maartens gets a rare start, something pundits and fans have been calling for for quite some time. Photo: Morgan Piek

“There’s enough respect between him and his teammates. Look, he didn’t do everything right on the weekend, and he’ll hear that in the team meeting, but he’s good for this team at the moment. We have missed somebody like that.”

For the Cheetahs, the challenge now is to ensure De Klerk’s absence does not disrupt their momentum as the race for a home semi-final intensifies.

Kick-off at Loftus Versfeld is at 15:00 on Sunday.

Bulls - TBA

Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Jooste Nel, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk (C), 7 Simon Miller, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Arno van der Merwe, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Sisonke Vumasonke, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 De-An Ackermann

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg