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Faf returns to starting line-up to face Stormers

By Angus Opperman
Friday 7 Aug 2026
BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA – : Faf de Klerk of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs during the Carling Currie Cup (Photo by Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images)

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn revealed his side to face the Stormers XXIII at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

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*Also read: Stormers XXIII get flyhalf boost for Cheetahs showdown

The Cheetahs will look to bounce back following a narrow defeat to neighbours Griquas in Round Three, which saw the side from Bloemfontein drop down to third place on the table.

Three points separate the top five sides, with the Lions leading on 12 points, followed by Griquas and the Cheetahs on 11, the Boland Kavaliers on 10, and the Stormers XXIII on nine.

Continues below…

Steyn has made several changes to the side for Sunday’s encounter.

In the forwards, Marko Janse van Rensburg returns to the starting line-up, with Juan Smal moving to the bench to provide impact.

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Among the backs, Faf de Klerk returns to the starting XV.

The midfield combination consists of Zander du Plessis and Marco Jansen van Vuren, while Cohen Jasper and Jooste Nel provide cover among the replacements.

On the wing, Michael Annies starts on the right, while Clayton Blommetjies replaces the injured Henry Immelman at fullback.

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Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tebogo Nkosi
Replacements: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Jooste Nel

Date: Sunday, August 9
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Assistant referees: Juan de Bod, Charlwin Daries
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen

 

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