Cheetahs ring the changes for Sharks clash

The Toyota Cheetahs will travel to Durban this weekend to face the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, as the hosts take the Carling Currie Cup action to the community. The clash kicks off at 5.10pm on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Head coach Frans Steyn is anticipating a tough contest: "I don't think it's going to be easy. We need to stick to the goals we've set for ourselves and hopefully that will work in our favour. The Sharks have a lot of talent in their squad, so our focus has to remain on our plan and improving week by week. We must start well and maintain our intensity for the full 80 minutes.

"Tiaan (Liebenberg, forwards coach) and the forwards are doing a great job. I'm impressed with the young guys giving everything on the pitch, and the experienced players providing direction."

This week also brings a special family moment as Franco Smith lines up against his brother, Jean Smith.

"It's exceptional. It's always a privilege to play for the Toyota Cheetahs and to do it this weekend in the Currie Cup against my brother is something special. I know he's a good player on his own journey and I'm really excited," the Cheetahs No 12 said.

The Cheetahs have made several changes from last weekend's match against the Pumas. In the forwards, Juan Venter, Daniel Maartens and Sisonke Vumazonke come into the starting lineup in place of Pierre Uys, Sasko Ndlovu and Gideon van der Merwe.

In the backline, Clayton Blommetjies, Cohen Jasper, Franco Smith and Banie Britz replace Tiaan Swanepoel, Ntokozo Makhaza, and Franco Smith (previously at flyhalf).

On the bench, Thabang Mahlase, Gideon van der Merwe, Ali Mgijima and Ethan Wentzel are named among the replacements.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Yaw Penxe; 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Matt Ramao, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Coetzee Le Roux, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Albie Bester.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Franco Smith, 11 Banie Britz; 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandre Nel; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Daniel Maartens; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Thabang Mahlase, 20 Gideon van der Merwe, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Ethan Wentzel.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV v Toyota Cheetahs - Saturday @ Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Durban (5.10pm)

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby