Cheetahs keep the faith for Sharks' visit

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie made minimal changes to his team for the third match in the pre-season Challenge series, when they face the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Fourie has reverted to the combination that went down 30-31 to Western Province last week.

He named a completely changed team for their midweek encounter with Cheetahs head coach Barcelona Diables in Bloemfontein this week, but named a much stronger combination for the Sharks' visit.

The starting XV shows just three changes from that which went down to WP.

Enver Brandt starts on the left wing in place of Sevens Springbok Rosko Specman, who returned to the Stormers for the resumption of their United Rugby Championship campaign.

Jeandré Labuschagne, on loan from the Sharks, will start on the flank in place of loan player, Thembelani Bholi - also currently employed by the Durban-based franchise.

The final change is at hooker - where Marnus van der Merwe starts ahead of Wilmar Arnoldi, who drops down to the replacement bench.

Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Britz, 12 Robbert Ebersohn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Siyabonga Masuku, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis (captain), 7 Jeandré Labuschagne, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Jacobus van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Allulutho Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Teboho Mohoje/Lohan Potgieter, 21 Zinedene Booysen, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Evardi Boshoff.

Date: Saturday, November 20

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Jaco Kotze, Darren Colby

TMO: Ben Crouse