Reniel Hugo will lead an inexperienced Cheetahs side in Saturday's pre-season friendly against the Bulls in Harare.

The lock takes the captaincy in the absence of Francois Venter, who has been benched by coach Franco Smith.

Gerrie Labuschagne, who made headlines back in 2014 for his incredible 80m goal kick, will start at fullback, while Ruan van Rensburg and Clayton Blommetjies complete the back three. 

In the midfield, Michael van der Spuy teams up with young Reinhardt Erwee, while Niel Marais and Tian Meyer start as the halfback combination.

Henco Venter, Tienie Burger and Paul Schoeman scrum down in the back row, Hugo and Armarndt Koster come in as the new lock pairing, and Luan de Bruin, Jacques du Toit and Danie Mienie will scrum in the front row. 

The Cheetahs kick off their Super Rugby campaign against the Jaguars on 26 February in Bloemfontein.

Cheetahs – 15 Gerrie Labuschagne, 14 Ruan van Rensburg, 13 Reinhardt Erwee, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Clayton Blommetjies, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Tienie Burger, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo (c), 4 Armandt Koster, Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Danie Mienie. Subs: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Carl Wegner, 21 Niell Jordaan, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Fred Zeilinga, 24 Francois Venter, 25 Raymond Rhule.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images