Clayton Blommetjies will play his 100th game for the Cheetahs after coach Hawies Fourie named an unchanged starting lineup against the Vodacom Bulls on Friday.

Fourie has retained the starting lineup from their 53-31 victory over the Pumas this past Saturday, when the Cheetahs opened their campaign with a bonus-point win to top the standings.

The only change to the squad comes on the bench, where Jacques du Toit replaces Louis van der Westhuizen as the replacement hooker.

It means that Blommetjies will be running on to the field to make his 100th senior appearance for the Cheetahs in all competitions.

The 30-year-old, who is enjoying his second stay at the Free State after overseas stints with the Scarlets and Leicester Tigers, will bring up the milestone in Bloemfontein against the team that gave him his senior breakthrough.

‘Clayton has had his ups and downs over the years,’ Cheetahs assistant coach Corniel van Zyl said. ‘He has matured so much.

‘If you look at the ball carries he makes every week, he is often the top carrier. It will be a special occasion for him this week. We are looking forward to seeing how he performs.’

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (c), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Chris Massyn, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 William Small-Smith.

Photo: Getty Images