Venter returns to lead Cheetahs

Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has named his team for Saturday’s South African Super Rugby derby against the Sharks in Bloemfontein (17:15 kick-off).

Captain Francois Venter returns to the side for the first time this year, having been sidelined with an ankle injury.

He partners Nico Lee in midfield in a much-changed Cheetahs outfit from the one which went down 41-14 to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last week.

Sergeal Petersen has recovered from a knee injury and returns to the right wing position, while the fit-again Raymond Rhule is also back at left wing.

Shaun Venter also returns at scrumhalf in place of Tian Meyer, who captained the Cheetahs last weekend.

Up front, there is a new front row in Ox Nche, Torsten van Jaarsveld and Johan Coetzee, while Justin Basson replaces Armandt Koster in the second row.

Paul Schoeman is back at flank, with Henco Venter moving to No 8 and Niell Jordaan dropping down to the bench.

Teams:

Cheetahs

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Niell Jordaan, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Niel Marais, 23 Rayno Benjamin/Clinton Swart

Sharks

15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Tera Mtembu (captain), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Garth April