Siya Masuku will be starting at flyhalf for the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday in their Currie Cup final round game against the Bulls in Pretoria.
Masuku returns as backline marshal as the Springbok Ruan Pienaar is not available for the match due to family commitments.
With Pienaar unavailable for the trip to the capital city, Zinedine Booysen, comes onto the bench where he will serve as cover for Rewan Kruger, who starts at scrumhalf.
Masuku has struggled with form and confidence this season, however, in the Cheetahs last game at Loftus Versfeld he was the man of the match.
The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport this is a good opportunity for the Sharks-bound Masuku.
“It will be a good test for him and Siya has played well for us in the past,” said Fourie.
“It’s just a case of getting the confidence back and doing what he thinks is the best at that stage and to control the game well.
“He’s got all the ability and he is a lot fitter than he was a month ago. I feel that he is in a good space and I believe that he will be able to do it.”
Saturday’s game at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 15:00.
Bulls – 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements – 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keegan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Cheetahs – 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Beertjie van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements – 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jeandré Rudolph, 20 George Cronjé, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Zinedine Booysen, 23 Robert Ebersohn.
Morgan Piek
