Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has included Tewis de Bruyn and Johan Goosen as the half-back pairing for his team's Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
De Bruyn replaces Piet van Zyl at scrumhalf and Goosen comes in for Sias Ebersohn in a number of changes to the starting line-up that lost 39-33 against the Chiefs two weeks ago.
Lock Andries Ferreira, who joined the Cheetahs from French club Biarritz last year, gets only his third start this season in place of George Earl who moves to the bench.
Hooker and captain Adriaan Strauss is also back after missing out against the Chiefs due to illness, while Cameron Jacobs comes in on the wing for the injured Rayno Benjamin.
“I've had three games playing from the bench and I'm look forward to starting again,” De Bruyn said on Wednesday.
“Piet is a very good scrumhalf, and while it is also because of rotation by the coach that I'm included, I still feel that I can bring a lot to our game, especially on defence.”
De Bruyn said he looked forward to pairing up with Goosen, the attacking young flyhalf who was included earlier Wednesday in the SA U-20 squad for the IRB Junior World Championship in June.
“He is such a special player and I enjoy playing alongside him,” De Bruyn said.
“He loves to run with the ball and it will be my job just to help settle him down a bit whenever needs be.
“We will have to be rock solid on defence in every channel, and Goosen and I are the first line when it comes to the backline.
“We've been solid on defence and will look to keep up that performance.”
Cheetahs team: Hennie Daniller, Cameron Jacobs, Robert Ebersohn, Andries Strauss, Willie le Roux, Johan Goosen, Tewis de Bruyn, Philip van der Walt, Justin Downey, Heinrich Brussow, Izak van der Westhuizen, Andries Ferreira, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Coenie Oosthuizen. Replacements: Hercu Liebenberg, Trevor Nyakane, George Earl, Ashley Johnson, Piet van Zyl, Sias Ebersohn, Philip Snyman. – Sapa