The Cheetahs have left star playmaker Siya Masuku out of the matchday-23 to face the Lions in a Currie Cup clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Masuku started in the win against DHL Western Province, but has not been included in the squad to face the Lions. No official reason has been given for the flyhalf’s absence.
Instead, Reinhardt Fortuin, who started at inside centre against WP, will shift to flyhalf, with centre David Brits called into the starting lineup.
The only other change to the backline sees Cohen Jasper move from fullback to wing in place of the injured Munier Hartzenberg. Tapiwa Mafura will start at fullback.
There are just two changes to the pack as Mzwanele Zito replaces Rynier Bernardo (flu) in the second row, while hooker Louis van der Westhuizen rotates into the starting lineup.
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CHEETAHS – 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 George Cronje, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Friedl Olivier, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Evardi Boshoff, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 George Lourens.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images