Pietersen at ten for Cheetahs

Editor

New signing Joe Pietersen will start at fly-half for the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby opener against the Sharks in Durban this week.

Newly-appointed Cheetahs' captain Francois Uys will lead a side that contains several new faces.

Uys was given the armband earlier this week and will line in the familiar number five jersey alongside Lodewyk de Jager in the second row.

Abrasive eightman Willie Britz receives his first start for the team after transferring from the Lions, while former Bull Clayton Blommetjies will look to add spark in a backline that also features Willie le Roux and Raymond Rhule.

Joe Pietersen impressed enough during the pre-season to earn the fly-half jersey, while Sarel Pretorius fits in at scrum-half and will support Uys having been named the team's vice-captain during the week.

Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Petersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Francois Uys (c), 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Minnie
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Boom Prinsloo, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Cornal Hendricks

Date: Saturday, February 14
Kickoff: 15:05 local (13:05 GMT)
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Andrew Lees
Assitant Referees: Rohan Hoffmann, Archie Sehlako
TMO: Marius Jonker