Flank Abongile Nonkontwana will earn his first start for the Cheetahs as one of three changes to the starting lineup for Saturday’s match against Zebre in Bloemfontein.

Coach Franco Smith has left his backline unchanged, but made three changes among the forwards, of which one is injury enforced.

With eighthman Daniel Maartens ruled out due to a rib injury sustained against the Kings last week, Nonkontwana comes into the loose trio. The 23-year-old will play blindside flank, with Junior Pokomela shifting to openside and Gerhard Olivier to No 8.

Locks JP du Preez and Justin Basson are replaced by Walt Steenkamp and Sintu Manjezi. Both Du Preez and Basson will provide cover off the bench.

Cheetahs – 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer (c), 8 Gerhard Olivier, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Justin Basson, 20 JP de Preez, 21 Niell Jordaan, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Louis Fouché.

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images