Frans Steyn will start at flyhalf for the Cheetahs in their Currie Cup match against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie named a match-day 23 which features several changes from the team that lost to the Lions in Bloemfontein this past weekend.

Steyn will be forming a fresh halfback combination with Ruben de Haas as regular flyhalf Tian Schoeman will miss the match entirely.

Meanwhile, former Maties wing Duncan Saal will make his first appearance for the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, replacing Malcolm Jaer and causing William Small-Smith to start at left wing.

Howard Mnisi will take Steyn’s place at inside centre, with Dries Swanepoel starting at outside centre after he played off the bench against the Lions.

There are just two changes to the pack as Reniel Hugo replaces Ian Groenewald at lock, while Marnus van der Merwe starts at hooker in place of Jacques du Toit.

Oupa Mohoje returns from injury and will provide cover at both lock and flank, while Rhyno Smith and Chris Massyn are new to the bench after missing the weekend’s match.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal 13 Dries Swanepoel 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Frans Steyn, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Kutha Mchunu, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter.
Subs: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Rhyno Smith.

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images