Cheetahs v Sharks: Teams

The Cheetahs have recalled captain Juan Smith to their starting line-up as they prepare to take on the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Springbok flanker Smith, who was due to wear the number seven jersey against the Brumbies last weekend until shifting to bench duty, joins Hendro Scholtz and Heinrich Brüssow in the back-row.

The South African strugglers are currently rooted to the foot of the table after recording seven straight defeats - nearest rivals the Reds comfortably ten points their superior.

And with the Durban-based franchise entering the fixture in strong form, the hosts' Super 14 standing could be made even worse this weekend.

Table-toppers the Sharks have rotated their front-row for their fixture, meanwhile.

Those changes see John Smit start at hooker with Deon Carstens and Jannie du Plessis on either side of him, while Beast Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis take up bench spots.

Elsewhere, Luzuko Vulindlu continues on the wing in place of the injured JP Pietersen while Frans Steyn will again play at fly-half.

The Sharks head into the game on the back of an impressive 33-17 victory over the Hurricanes and will fancy at least four points against the Super 14's basement side.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Hendro Scholtz, 7 Juan Smith (capt), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Bees Roux, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Nico Breedt, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Fabian Juries.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (capt), 4 Steven Sykes / Albert van den Berg, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Albert van den Berg / Steven Sykes, 19 Skholiwe Ndlovu, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Chris Jordaan.