Schoeman hasn’t been able to play rugby since the Cheetahs' tour of New Zealand in the Super Rugby series in June.

During the flight over to the Land of the Long White Cloud the player developed a thrombosis which moved from his leg to his lung.

Schoeman spent quite some time in hospital and wasn’t able to travel with the team during the tour. Furthermore he had to spend additional time in New Zealand before being given the all clear to fly home.

The player was named in the Free State squad to contest the Currie Cup, which begins on Friday against the Sharks in Bloemfontein.

During the Currie Cup launch at the Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening he told OFM Sport that he still has to consult with the specialist in Port Elizabeth on 11 August.

“It’s on the 11th of August and then I can play again on the 19th of August.

“Initially he wanted to see me after the Currie Cup, but then Doc Rudi insisted that I must see him on the 11th just to clear things up and so forth.”

This means that the backrower will be eligible for selection for the clash against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The Cheetahs are the defending champions after beating the Blue Bulls 36-16 in 2016 final in Bloemfontein.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport