Franco Smith has made two changes to the Cheetahs’ starting XV for Friday’s match against Leinster in Dublin.

The changes are tactical, with Smith opting to start with Tian Meyer at scrumhalf and Reinach Venter at hooker ahead of Shaun Venter and Marnus van der Merwe respectively.

Smith has also reshuffled the back row. Junior Pokomela moves from blindside to No 8, Abongile Nonkontwana from openside to No 7 and Gerhard Olivier from the back of the scrum to openside flank.

There is a welcome return via the bench for prop Charles Marais after he missed last week’s match due to food poisoning.

Cheetahs – 15 Louis Fouché, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer (c), 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana , 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Marnus van der Merwe, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Rudy Paige.

Photo: Gallo Images