Cell C Sharks Director Of Rugby, Gary Gold, has named the Sharks side for the season-opener at Growthpoint Kings Park on Saturday.

He said, “The Cheetahs for me are one of the most dangerous sides to play against and on their day they have the ability to beat any team.

“We are expecting a physical battle against a well-coached team, who have some exciting young players in their squad.

“Our guys have prepared well for the tournament and there is a fantastic spirit in the camp. We want to play an exciting brand of rugby that our fans expect and score tries. The only way to win matches is to score tries and to score tries you need to keep the ball in hand. Our players are determined and will give nothing less than 100% effort on the park.”

Waylon Murray is named at No 13, with centre partner Heimar Williams the other midfielder.

At lock the fit-again Pieter-Steph du Toit partners up with Mouriz Botha, England International and former Saracens player.

The loose-trio will be Marcell Coetzee at openside, Renaldo Bothma (Pumas import) at blindside and with Tera Mtembu at No 8.

Bismarck du Plessis captains the side with his fellow Springbok front row regulars Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis his front row partners and with regulars Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie the halfbacks.

Cell C Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Heimar Williams, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Marco Wentzel, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Odwa Ndungane.

Date: Saturday 14 February
Venue: Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
Kick-Off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Archie Sehlako (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)