Munier Hartzenberg will make his first start in nearly 12 months as the Cheetahs have opted for consistency for the Challenge Cup match against Pau in Amsterdam on Sunday.
The Cheetahs arrived in Amsterdam on Tuesday and this will mark the first time they play in the Netherlands. The match at the sold-out NRCA Stadium at kicks off at 3pm (SA time) on Sunday.
Hawies Fourie has largely stuck with the team that beat the Sharks in Bloemfontein, making just four changes to the starting lineup.
The only change in the backline sees Hartzenberg make his first appearance since last season’s Challenge Cup playoffs in April 2023. The 26-year-old wing has recovered from a knee injury.
The other changes come in the pack, where a new front row sees Namibian internationals Aranos Coetzee and Louis van der Westhuizen joined by veteran Schalk Ferreira.
Cheetahs — 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Ali Mgijima
Photo: Facebook/CheetahsRugby