Zeilinga starts at pivot for Cheetahs

Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has named his team for their Super Rugby clash against the Jaguares in Bloemfontein on Friday (19:00 kick-off).

Centre Francois Venter captains the side, with Springbok lock Lood de Jager the vice-captain.

Fred Zeilinga starts at flyhalf in an exciting backline which also features speedsters Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen on the wings.

Niel Marais is the reserve flyhalf, with the coach unable to find a spot in the team for Sias Ebersohn.

Up front, the Cheetahs will bank on the experience of De Jager and loose forward Boom Prinsloo.

Teams:

Cheetahs

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais

Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Paul Schoeman, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Niel Marais

Jaguares

TBA