Paige set for Pro14 debut

Rudy Paige has been named on the Cheetahs bench for their match against Treviso in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The former Springbok scrumhalf will make his Pro14 debut if he comes onto the field.

In changes to the starting XV that narrowly lost to Munster two weeks ago, Malcolm Jaer has returned to fullback, with Rhyno Smith on the right wing. Justin Basson and Walt Steenkamp will be in the second row, with Daniel Maartens at No 8.

Saturday’s match is a must win for the Cheetahs, who are last in Conference A, with just one victory from eight matches.

Cheetahs – 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Shaun Venter (c), 8 Daniel Maartens, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Herhard Olivier, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Sinthu Manjezi, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 William Small-Smith.

Photo: Louis Botha/Gallo Images