Franco Smith has shaken off an ankle scare to take his place at flyhalf when the Cheetahs host Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The 25-year-old playmaker looked in danger of missing out on his first home Currie Cup start this week after hobbling out of training on Tuesday. However, he has recovered in time to run out in the No 10 jersey, with veteran fullback Clayton Blommetjies named on the bench as cover.
The Cheetahs will also hand a debut to loose forward Mihlali Mosi, who returned to Bloemfontein after a stint with the Vodacom Bulls.
Coach Frans Steyn’s men are coming off a 7-5 win against the Sharks in Clermont, Durban, last week that moved them up to second on the log, while winless WP are at the bottom.
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CHEETAHS – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Bench: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Cameron Delport, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Sasko Ndlovu, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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