Hamilton - Scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius will start for the Cheetahs against the Chiefs in their Super Rugby match in Hamilton on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 08:35 SA time.

According to the rugby365.com website, Pretorius for Piet van Zyl at No 9 is the only change to the starting XV following their 29-22 loss to the Sharks in Bloemfontein last weekend.

It also means Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen will again play off the bench as he slowly works his way back to full fitness after a succession of neck and back injuries in 2012.

The bench shows a couple of changes, most notably Riaan Smit in for the injured Elgar Watts.

Rynhard Landman also replaces Waltie Vermeulen on the bench. Vermeulen injured his knee against the Sharks an a scan revealed ligament damage that requires surgery.

Meanwhile, Cheetahs team manager Eugene van Wyk confirmed that Griquas flyhalf Burton Francis will fly in to replace Elgar Watts in the touring group, after the latter pulled a hamstring in training on Monday.

Francis will arrive too late to feature in this weekend's squad, but could well feature in the Cheetahs' second overseas tour match against Highlanders in Invercargill on March 9.

Teams:

Chiefs:
TBA

Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane

Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Rynhard Landman, 19 Johannes Prinsloo, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin