A growing injury list has promoted flyhalf Franco Smith and fullback Cohen Jasper to start the Cheetahs’ must-win EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Lyon on Saturday.

The Cheetahs’ 22-18 win against Zebre Parma last week has provided a glimmer of hope for playoff qualification, however victory against Lyon is non-negotiable in round 4 if they are to progress.

Michael Annies (hamstring) and Ethan Wentzel (shoulder) have expanded the Cheetahs’ list of crocked players to 10, and Jasper and Smith have been handed the keys to drive the plan at Matmut Stadium.

Victor Sekekete captains an unchanged pack while loose forward Neels Volschenk is named on the bench for the first time in the Cheetahs’ Challenge Cup campaign.

“If we stick to our game plan and execute well, we’ll be in the mix,” said Cheetahs hooker Louis van der Westhuizen. “We need to be physical, keep our focus, and limit our mistakes.

“We have had many injuries since the campaign’s start, but I believe in this  team and their ability and willingness to fight until the last minute,” said coach Izak van der Westhuizen.

CHEETAHS — 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 CJ Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk
Bench: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Jandre Nel, 23 Litha Nkula

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images