Tian Meyer will captain the Cheetahs in one of seven changes to the starting XV to face Zebre in Parma on Sunday.

Meyer takes the captaincy from Shaun Venter, who has been left out of the match-day 23 entirely. Rudy Paige gets a chance to play his first away game in the Pro14 as Meyer’s replacement.

There are three other changes to the backline, as Rabz Maxwane takes his place in the team in place of Darren Adonis.

Rhyno Smith, who started on the wing in the Cheetahs’ previous outing against Connacht, has returned to the Sharks. William Small-Smith shifts from centre to wing, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg comes into the midfield alongside Nico Lee. Louis Fouche is replaced at flyhalf by Tian Schoeman in a rotational swap.

There are also three changes among the forwards as tighthead prop Aranos Coetzee, lock Justin Basson and No 8 Daniel Maartens all come into the starting lineup.

Cheetahs – 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Daniel Maartens, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Walt Steenkamp, 21 Abongile Nonkontwana, 22 Rudy Paige, 23 Louis Fouche.

Photo: Gallo