Frans Steyn has been included in the Cheetahs starting lineup for their Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

In one of three changes to the Cheetahs lineup from the one that lost to the Sharks last week, Steyn has been named to take up his place at inside centre, but has still been bracketed with Chris Smit.

It’s believed that Steyn will still need to come through final fitness tests to be cleared to play as he hopes to overcome a groin strain.

The other two personnel swaps come in the pack, where Jeandre Rudolph cracks the nod at No 8 ahead of Aidon Davis and Ian Groenewalk takes JP du Preez’s starting spot in the second row.

Smit, Davis and Du Preez all move to the bench, where prop Marnus van der Merwe is also added at the expense of Jacques du Toit.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Frans Steyn/Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Junior Pokomela (c), 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Boan Venter, 17 Marnus van der Merwe, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Chris Smit/Howard Mnisi.

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images