Cheetahs v Bulls: Teams

The Cheetahs are set to hand out seven debuts against the defending champions the Bulls at Vodacom Park on Friday.

Lionel Mapoe, Riaan Viljoen and Ashley Johnson have been named in the starting XV for the Super 14 opener, with Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, Walti Vermeulen and Sias Ebersohn poised to make their firs appearances for Naka Drotske's side off the bench.

The Cheetahs have been handed the toughest possible opener to the season, having finished bottom of the table last season - with just two victories.

However they proved their potential by reaching the final of the Currie Cup in October.

There will be a familiar look to the Bulls line-up for the clash in Bloemfontein - with 14 players who appeared in the 2009 Super 14 final included.

Victor Matfield will captain an experienced squad - with hooker Gary Botha set to make his first appearance for the Bulls since 2007.

Botha, who spent two seasons playing in the Guinness Premiership with Harlequins, will be making his 50th appearance for the franchise.

Coach Frans Ludeke has named three former Cheetahs on the bench, with Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Bees Roux and Flip van der Merwe set to face their former team-mates.

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Frans Viljoen, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Danwel Demas.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.