Blues v Cheetahs: Teams

The Blues are without Jerome Kaino as the Cheetahs make wholesale changes for Saturday's Super Rugby fixture in Whangarei.

Flanker Kaino has been ruled out of the round seven match at Toll Stadium with a neck injury.

The 27-year-old has been battling through the last few games with the issue but finally succumbed after last week's physical clash with the Chiefs.

The absence of the All Black is the only change to the starting XV, as Chris Lowrey steps in to fill the void at blindside flanker.

Lock James King will have the opportunity to make his Blues debut as he comes onto the bench for Filo Paulo, who fractured an eye socket during training this week.

Floors all yours

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has made five changes to his starting XV for Saturday's clash with the Blues.

Kabamba Floors returns in place of Springbok openside flanker Heinrich Brussow, who has returned to Bloemfontein with damaged ribs.

Floors is joined in the back row by Griquas number eight Davon Raubenheimer, who is preferred ahead of Ashley Johnson.

There is one more change to the pack with Francois Uys drafted into the second row alongside skipper Wilhelm Steenkamp, as Martin Muller drops out of the matchday 22.

Amongst the backs, Sarel Pretorius returns to the scrum-half berth in a switch with Tewis de Bruyn and former Perpignan utility back Phillip Burger is given a run on the right wing.

Lock Isak van der Westhuizen and centre Barry Geel join the squad as two further changes amongst the replacements.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (capt), 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 James King, 19 Mat Luamanu, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Benson Stanley

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Phillip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corne Uys, 11 Wilmaure Louw, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Phillip van der Walt, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp (c), 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Isak van der Westhuizen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, Barry Geel.