Lock Reniel Hugo will captain the Cheetahs in their pre-season friendly against the Stormers in Harare, Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has selected a young starting lineup, with Hugo as stand-in captain. SA U20 star Junior Pokomela will start on the side of the scrum, alongside fellow back rowers Henco Venter and Boom Prinsloo, who makes a timely return to action following a lengthly injury layoff.

The only other regulars in the team are flyhalf Fred Zeilinga, centres Michael van der Spuy and Nico Lee and wing Ryno Benjamin.

The 16-man bench includes Torsten van Jaarsveld, Charles Marais, Oupa Mohoje, Tian Meyer, Clinton Swart, Clayton Blommetjies and Raymond Rhule. 

Cheetahs – 15 Ryno Eksteen, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Lihleli Xoli, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 JP Smith, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Lihleli Xoli, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Danie Mienie.
Subs: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Dennis Visser, 20 Francois Uys, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Oupa Mohoje, 23 Steven Meiring, 24 Tian Meyer, 25 Clinton Swart, 26 Ali Mgijima, 27 Clayton Blommetjies, 28 Raymond Rhule, 29 Jacques du Toit, 30 Johan Coetzee, 31 Zee Mkhabela.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images