Currie Cup: Faf de Klerk on the bench as Cheetahs face Griquas in Kimberley

Looking ahead to Friday's clash, head coach Frans Steyn stressed the importance of returning to the team's foundations in the wake of a comfortable win over the Sharks XV last week.

"This is our first away game and it will be tough," said the double World Cup winner.

"We have a plan, and hopefully the one we have in place will work for us. There is an opportunity for us."

In terms of personnel, double World Cup champion Faf de Klerk has been moved to the bench to give Rewan Kruger gametime. Otherwise, Steyn has rung the changes with only winger Prince Nkabinde and the backrow trio of Neels Volschenk, Juan Venter and Ramon Uys keeping their starting positions.

Meanwhile, hosts Griquas have several changes to the team that defeated the Bulls last week. Stefan Coetzee comes in for fullback Cameron Hufke and Connor Mahoney replaces Dylan Maart on the right wing.

In the replacements, crumhalf Jack Hart is preparing for his Currie Cup debut, while Major League Rugby star Janus Venter will run out in Griquas colours for the first time.

Griquas - 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Connor Mahoney, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg (c), 4 Lungisi Mbiko, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements: 16 Janus Venter, 17 Corne Lavagna, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Carel van der Merwe, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Sako Makata.

Cheetahs - 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Carel Jan Coetzee, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Simon Miller, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi.

Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Michael Annies. 

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