Ntokozo Makhaza is one of two players set to debut for the Cheetahs in Friday night’s match against Georgia in Bloemfontein.
The former UCT winger, who was recently part of the Springbok squad, starts in the No 14 jersey, while 20-year-old tighthead prop Ben Pitout is set to come off the bench.
Both featured in last week’s warm-up match against the Griquas in Bultfontein.
“I’m very excited,” Makhaza told OFM Sport. “They’ve got an electric back three, so I want to measure myself against some of the best in the world … it’s always about giving my best and seeing where I stand.”
MORE: Pienaar salutes Willie as Cheetahs brace for Georgia
Flyhalf Ethan Wentzel returns to the starting XV after recovering from injury, while George Lourens misses out after suffering a hairline fracture to his arm last week. In the pack, flanker Pierre Uys returns from a groin niggle.
The match marks the 130th anniversary of the Free State Rugby Union and forms part of the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup preparations, while Georgia will use it to gear up for their Test against the Springboks in Nelspruit on 19 July.
Kick-off is at 7pm.
CHEETAHS – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Marko Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marco Janse van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Bench: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Carel Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
GEORGIA – 15 Dachi Papunashvili, 14 Shalva Aptsiauri, 13 Tornike Kakhoidze, 12 Giorgi Khaindrava, 11 Otar Metreveli, 10 Tedo Abzhandadze (c), 9 Tengiz Peranidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 6 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 5 Demuri Epremidze, 4 Guram Ghaniashvili, 3 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 2 Irakli Kvatadze, 1 Giorgi Tetrashvili.
Bench: 16 Vakhtang Jincharadze, 17 Nikoloz Khatiashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Mikheil Babunashvili, 20 Luka Ivanishvili, 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 22 Luka Matkava, 23 Demur Tapladze.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Varsity Cup star buzzing for Cheetahs debut appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.