Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar have been named in the Cheetahs starting lineup for their Super Rugby Unlocked opener against the Pumas in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Coach Hawies Fourie has selected a strong side to play in their first game back in South Africa Super Rugby fold.

In the backline, captain Pienaar will form a halfback axis with Tian Schoeman, while the two-time World Cup-winning Steyn partner Benhard Janse van Rensburg in the midfield. The back three consists of wings Rosko Specman and Malcolm Jaer, with Clayton Blommetjies at fullback.

Up front, No 8 Jasper Wiese is joined in the loose trio by flanks Junior Pokomela and Andisa Ntsila. In the second row Walt Steenkamp lines up alongside Carl Wegner, and in the front row hooker Reinach Venter will scrum down next to props Luan de Bruin and Charles Marais.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (c), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Aidon Davis, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 William Small-Smith.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images