Ox Nche will start for the Cheetahs in one of four changes to their starting lineup for the Currie Cup semi-final against the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Nche was on the bench in last weekend’s victory over Western Province but is one of three players back in the starting lineup for this weekend’s clash.

Tighthead prop Erich de Jager also returns in place of last weekend’s debutant Boan Venter, who drops out of the match-day 23.

In the backline, Dries Swanepoel regains his place in midfield, causing William Small-Smith to shift back to wing and Darren Adonis to drop to the bench.

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs will be without experienced prop Aranos Coetzee, who is away with Namibia on international duty.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Tian Meyer (c), 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Reinach Venter, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Darren Adonis, 23 Louis Fouche.

Photo: Gallo Images