Johannesburg – The Cheetahs have welcomed back a host of Springboks for their Super Rugby encounter against the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
The Cheetahs are placed second in the South African conference and are still in contention for a place in the knock-out stages.
The away game against the Stormers, and their last at home next week against the Blues are crucial if Naka Drotske's side wants to bolster their fifth place in the overall standings.
It therefore comes as no surprise that the Cheetahs' coach has chosen all his Springboks who were in action in the incoming tours, with the exception of prop Trevor Nyakane, in the run-on side for Saturday's outing.
Props Coenie Oosthuizen and Lourens Adriaanse (uncapped) will bolster the Cheetahs' front row alongside Springbok hooker and captain Adriaan Strauss.
The uncapped Lappies Labuschagne will also start in the run-on side among the loose forwards.
In the back-line, star play-maker Willie le Roux comes in on the wing with capped scrum-half Piet van Zyl and centre Robert Ebersohn (uncapped) also providing depth.
Nyakane will make an impact from the replacement bench, much like he did in the Springboks' last test against Samoa.
With regards to injury, big lock “Ligtoring” Landman comes in for the injured Francois Uys.
With utility back Rayno Benjamin currently with the Springbok sevens side in Moscow, Drotske has brought in former Madibaz centre Howard Mnisi on the bench.
Mnisi, who was one of the stars for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in the Varsity Cup competition this season, has proved himself in two warm-up games for Griquas and thus gets the promotion.
The Cheetahs' team: Hennie Daniller, Willie le Roux, Johann Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Raymond Rhule, Riaan Smit, Piet van Zyl, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Heinrich Brussow, Ligtoring Landman, Lood de Jager, Lourens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Waltie Vermeulen, Boom Prinsloo, Sarel Pretorius, Elgar Watts, Howard Mnisi.– Sapa