LIMERICK – Seven players will make their Pro14 debut for the Cheetahs when their side take on Munster at Thomond Park, in Limerick, on Saturday.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Tian Schoeman, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Walt Steenkamp, Aidon Davis and Ryno Eksteen are all set for their Pro14 debuts.
Flank Oupa Mohoje will be leading the side for the season.
“We are excited to start with Guinness Pro14 again. We have a huge task ahead of us with new players who joined the squad and we want to make South Africa and Guinness Pro14 proud,” said Cheetahs coach Franco Smith, who put his duties as Springbok attack coach aside to focus fully on the Cheetahs.
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new season. We are realistic. We and have to stick to the process and try to adapt as quick as possible to the required tempo and intensity.”
The two sides have met twice before with Munster winning both encounters.
#GUINNESSPRO14 #CrossingHemispheres #MUNvCHE pic.twitter.com/B274yIQdW8
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) August 30, 2018
The team will be travelling to Wales on Sunday for their second match against Ospreys in Swansea on September 8.
The Cheetahs team is:
15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Ernst Stapelberg, 23 Ryno Eksteen.