Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn has taken a page out of Rassie Erasmus’ playbook for Tuesday’s match against Spain’s Iberians in Tbilisi.
Daniel Maartens is accustomed to wearing the No 6 jersey but has been selected at inside centre.
The 31-year-old flank replaces Duncan Basson and will partner captain Marco Jansen van Vuren, who retains the No 13 jersey.
Steyn has made several other changes to the team that opened its Toyota Challenge campaign in Georgia with a 38-26 victory over Portugal’s Lusitanos.
There is a new halfback combination, with Erich Visser replacing Jandré Nel at scrumhalf and Ethan Wentzel taking over from Tiaan Swanepoel at flyhalf.
Up front, Tielman Nieuwoudt starts at loosehead prop, Juandré Schoeman at hooker and Ben Pitout at tighthead in a new front row, with Aidon Davis and Juan Smal forming a new second-row combo.
Mihlali Mosi starts at No 8 in a revamped loose trio with flanks Siya Ningiza and Siyemukela Ndlovu.
CHEETAHS – 15 Shuan Ray, 14 Litha Nkula, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren (c), 12 Daniel Maartens, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Erich Visser, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Siyemukela Ndlovu, 5 Juan Smal, 4 Aidon Davis, 3 Ben Pitout, 2 Juandre Schoeman, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt.
Bench: 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Sibabalwe Booi, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Arno van der Merwe, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Darius Erwee, 23 Sisonke Vumazonke.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
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Flank Daniel Maartens will start in the Cheetahs midfield against Spain’s Iberians in Tbilisi on Tuesday.
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