Mosi rejoined the Cheetahs after the conclusion of the SA Cup, following several seasons at the Bulls in Pretoria, where he rarely enjoyed much game time.

The 29-year-old first linked up with the Cheetahs in 2021, making 18 appearances and earning a reputation as a powerful ball-carrier before heading to the capital.  On Saturday, Mosi will start on the flank, where one of his key jobs will be to keep U20 World Championship-winning Junior Springbok captain, Riley Norton, in check.

Mihlali Mosi. Photo: Morgan Piek

He is one of several changes to the Cheetahs’ match-23 for this crucial, must-win home fixture.

The ever-humble Mosi told OFM Sport he is thrilled to finally get a chance to play again, admitting it’s been a tough road back to full fitness and to earning his spot in the squad.

“I’m very excited. It hasn’t been easy these past few weeks – I’ve been putting in the conditioning work, so now it’s time to reward all that hard work. Hopefully everything goes well,” said Mosi.

“Rugby is a physical sport, so it’s either you do it or you sit at home. Every game is important. We’re just taking it week by week, sticking to our structures, and hopefully we execute the plan.”

Among the other changes for the Cheetahs this week, Franco Smith Jr will start at flyhalf after overcoming an injury scare on Tuesday. He will partner with Rewan Kruger in the halfback combination.

Up front, Hencus van Wyk, Chucky van der Westhuizen, and Aranos Coetzee all crack the starting XV, while Gideon van der Merwe also returns to the run-on side at flank.

Saturday’s clash at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein kicks off at 14:00.

Cheetahs – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements – 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Cameron Delport, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Sasko Ndlovu, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies

Western Province – 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Shilton Van Wyk, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Joel Leotlela, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Gideon Van Wyk, 5 Gary Porter (captain), 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo

Replacements – 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Adam De Waal, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Luke Burger, 23 Jared Africa

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg