The versatile lock forward has been selected ahead of Reniel Hugo who led by example in the team’s 28-10 victory in their earlier warm-up match against the Bulls in Harare on Saturday.
With only two weeks remaining before their Super Rugby opener against the Jaguares in Bloemfontein, Cheetahs coach Franco Smith still has many decisions to make as far as his starting line-up is concerned and will therefore be hoping some of his stalwarts can prove their fitness against a largely unknown side.
Smith has opted to go with Shaun Venter and Sias Ebersohn as his halfback pairing, but will be keeping close tabs on Fred Zeilinga who will be starting on the bench.
The competition for the number 10 jersey in the Cheetahs squad is between Ebersohn, Zeilinga and Niel Marais who did not disappoint in Harare.
De Jager, who took to the international stage like a fish to water over the last year, will be joined by Carl Wegner in the second row with Charles Marais, Torsten van Jaarsveld and Nicolaas Van Dyk making up the front row.
Smith has also opted to let speedsters Raymond Rhule, Maphutha Dolo and Sergeal Petersen loose in the windy city.
Cheetahs: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Maphutha Dolo, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais. Replacements – from: Jacques du Toit, Danie Mienie, Luan de Bruin, Reniel Hugo, Hilton Lobberts, Paul Schoeman, Henco Venter, Tian Meyer, Fred Zeilinga, Michael van der Spuy, Clayton Blommetjies.
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
