Highlanders pick strong side for Cheetahs clash

Bloemfontein - Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has named a strong side to take on the Cheetahs on Friday in Bloemfontein, with Matt Faddes at fullback.

Kick-off is at 19:00.

Brown has retained most of the pack that tamed the Stormers last weekend changing only Joe Wheeler from the bench to the starting XV and returning Luke Whitelock to the number eight position, who will captain the side.

Faddes comes in at fullback for the injured Ben Smith in an otherwise unchanged backline.

Squad co-captain Ash Dixon returns from injury to play his first game of the year.

Meanwhile, Elliot Dixon and Richard Buckman also make their way back into the 23 after a few weeks out.

"The Cheetahs are an adventurous side who play an attacking brand of rugby and we’re anticipating a good battle," said Brown.

Teams:

Cheetahs

TBA

Highlanders

15 Matt Faddes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (co-captain), 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Joe Wheeler, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Richard Buckman