Everitt handed starts from last week’s bench to John Hubert-Meyer at tighthead and Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf, as well as recalling Ruben van Heerden to the engine room. Jeremy Ward takes over from Marius Louw at centre, in the final tweak to the side that ran out at Emirates Airline Park last weekend.
Meyer swops places with Michael Kumbirai, while JJ van der Mescht drops out of the squad with Van Heerden returning.
Fullback Aphelele Fassi has been named on the bench in his return from injury. The lanky Fassi was sidelined for the whole season due to a shoulder injury. He will be joined Grant Williams and Werner Kok as the coach reverts back to the traditional four/three split on the bench, having travelled with a five two one to Johannesburg.
"We were disappointed with the performance against the Lions, but we’ll put it down to a bad day at the office and the guys are really motivated to rectify it this weekend,” said Everitt.
“We know what’s coming from the Cheetahs, they need to win their last three matches for them to be in contention come knockout time, so we’re under no illusions as to what they will bring.”
The team:
Cell C Sharks - 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 John Hubert-Meyer, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Aphelele Fassi.
Match information – Toyota Cheetahs v Cell C Sharks
Date: Sunday, 27 December 2020
Time: 16h30
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Griffin Colby
TMO: Jaco Peyper
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
