The coach, Daan Human, has opted to play Ernst Stapelberg at fullback for the match, and this could perhaps be an indication that the Cheetahs may be looking into using the pivot in the final line of defence at a higher level in the Currie Cup and the Guinness Pro14 next season.

Especially seeing that Clayton Blommetjies will be moving to the Scarlets at the conclusion of the Pro14.

This sees Benhard Janse van Rensburg slot in at flyhalf, after making his Free State debut off the bench last week. Janse van Rensburg has been at the Free State for some time now, however, has been ineligible to play in the Pro14 as he represented the Southern Kings in the competition earlier in the season.

The only other change sees Darren Adonis, who started in the number 15 jersey during last week’s 56-31 win over the Griffons, moving to the wing in the place of Vuyani Maqina.

The Springbok scrumhalf, Rudy Paige, retains his spot in the starting team after making his debut a week ago.

Niell Jordaan who made his long-awaited return from injury last week retains the captaincy.

The Currie Cup-winning Cheetahs lock, Justin Basson, has been named on the bench for the match after recovering sufficiently from an ankle injury which saw him sidelined for quite some time.

Friday evening’s game at Shimla at the University of the Free State kicks off at 18:00.

Toyota Free State XV - 15 Ernst Stapelberg, 14 JP Coetzee, 13 Tertius Kruger, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Niell Jordaan (captain), 5 JP du Preez, 4 Sibabalo Qoma, 3 Gunter Janse van Vuuren, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Quintin Venter.

Replacements – 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Justin Basson, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Ntokozo Vidima, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Aya Oliphant.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport