Coach Naka Drotske has named Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss to captain the Cheetahs against the Bulls in Polokwane on Saturday.

Flyhalf Johan Goosen misses out again so Elgar Watts starts at 10 and former captain Juan Smith again starts from the bench.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said Watts, who joined the Bloemfontein team from Boland at the end of last season, showed his worth in the Stormers game after coming onto the field as a replacement.

"He not only accurately kicked at goal, but also looked the part with regards to ball distribution and on the attack," Drotske said on Wednesday.

Frans Viljoen starts at 6 partnering Lappies Labuschagne and Phillip van der Walt in the loose forwards.

Cheetahs

1. Trevor Nyakane , 2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain) , 3. Lourens Adriaanse , 4. Lood de Jager , 5. Francois Uys , 6. Frans Viljoen , 7. Lappies Labuschagne , 8. Phillip van der Walt , 9. Piet van Zyl , 10. Elgar Watts , 11. Raymond Rhule , 12. Robert Ebersohn , 13. Johann Sadie , 14. Rayno Benjamin , 15. Willie le Roux

Replacements : 16. Ryno Barnes , 17. Rossouw de Klerk , 18. Ligtoring Landman , 19. Juan Smith , 20. Sarel Pretorius , 21. Francois Brummer , 22. Hennie Daniller , 23. Hansie Graaff