Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan has named his team for Saturday's PRO14 clash against Irish side Connacht Rugby at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Luther Obi replaces the injured Malcolm Jaer and Rabs Mazwano will provide cover on the bench.
Zee Mkhabela will meanwhile replace Shaun Venter, who has been sidelined due to an injury.
Returning from injury, Tian Meyer will provide cover on the bench. Meyer will be playing in his 50th match for the Cheetahs if he gets onto the field.
Ox Nche and Aranos Coetzee will be the starting props with Charles Marais and Tom Botha on the bench. Coetzee will be playing in his 50th match for the Cheetahs.
The two sides met in Galway in Round 8 with Connacht winning 23-15.
The Cheetahs will want to gather points at home after for three defeats on tour.
The Cheetahs have lost just once at home this campaign.
"Our approach is to take each game as it comes. Obviously we prepare to win the game and a win will contribute to a playoff position," said Duncan.
Kick-off is at 19:35.
The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury:
William Small-Smith (knee), Dennis Visser (knee), Niell Jordaan (ankle), Elandré Huggett (knee) Ruan van Rensburg, (knee), Lloyd Greeff (shoulder), Luan de Bruin, Shaun Venter (groin), Malcolm Jaer (hand)
Teams:
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Zee Mkhabela, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Renier Bernardo, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Sibhale Maxano
Connacht
TBA