Faddes at full-back for Highlanders

Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has named strong side to take on the Cheetahs on Friday in Bloemfontein, with Matt Faddes at full-back.

He has retained most of the pack that tamed the Stormers last weekend changing only Joe Wheeler from the bench to the starting XV and returning Luke Whitelock to the number eight position, who will captain the run on side.

Faddes comes in at full-back for the injured Ben Smith in an otherwise unchanged backline. Squad co-captain Ash Dixon returns from injury to play his first game of the year, meanwhile Elliot Dixon and Richard Buckman also make their way back into the 23 after a few weeks out.

“The Cheetahs are an adventurous side who play an attacking brand of rugby and we’re anticipating a good battle,” said Brown.

Highlanders: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (cc), 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Joe Wheeler, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon (cc), 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Richard Buckman

Date: Friday, May 5
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Egon Seconds, Lourens van der Merwe
TMO: Willie Vos