Two veteran Springboks have been included in the Cheetahs team for their Currie Cup opener against Griquas in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has returned to the Cheetahs following his loan spell at the Sharks and immediately resumes the captaincy.
Frans Steyn is the other high-profile international in the side, starting at inside centre with David Brits as his midfield partner.
Staying in the backline, Clayton Blommetjies is joined in the back three by wings Craig Barry and Enver Brandt, while Chris Smit will start at flyhalf.
Up front, hooker Marnus van der Merwe will scrum down with props Schalk van der Merwe and Marne Coetzee, Rynier Bernardo and Victor Sekekete are the preferred locks and No 8 Mihlali Mosi will be flanked by Aidon Davis and Gideon van der Merwe.
The Cheetahs players unavailable for selection this week are Jeandre Rudolph (knee), George Cronje (knee), Duncan Saal (bicep), Branden de Kock (knee), Rosko Specman (knee), Reinhardt Fortuin (knee), Aranos Coetzee (bicep), Cameron Dawson (ankle), Daniel Kasende (knee), Cohen Jasper (shoulder) and Siya Masuku (return-to-play protocol).
Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Ruan Pienaar (c), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Malcolm Jaer.
