Boan Venter will be starting at loosehead prop for the game at the expense of Cameron Dawson who moves to the bench.

The second change is at lock with the big ball carrying Sibabalo Qoma replacing Luyolo Dapula in the number 4 jersey.

In the backline, the powerful Carel-Jan Coetzee starts at outside centre in the place of Aya Oliphant.

Apart from Dawson and Dapula, Janus Venter and Quintin Vorster have all be included on the bench.

The men from Bloemfontein will be desperate to return to winning ways after their shock 21-10 defeat to the Boland Cavaliers in Paternoster a week prior.

While the field in the West Coast town was far from being up to standard for hosting provincial teams, the Free State does not want to use that as an excuse.

The Free State coach, Izak van der Westhuizen told OFM Sport that the Elephants will post a different threat this weekend.

“Last weekend didn’t go according to plan, however, the people in Paternoster were very nice hosts and it was nice being able to go there.

“The pitch was a disaster. There were a lot of stones, rocks, and dirt, and it was also a lot smaller than a normal field.

“We are not going to use that as an excuse. Boland played on the same pitch as us but they adapted to the conditions a lot quicker.

“Our discipline as the being of the game cost us a bit, and Boland was able to keep the pressure on us. It is something that we spoke about during and immediately after the game.

“It is something that we are looking to rectify this weekend. We’ve prepared well and we look forward to the battle against EP over there.

“It is going to be tough one. EP has received a couple of reinforcements and they looked a lot better in their second game than during the first one.

“So it will definitely be a tough battle, but we are looking forward to it, and we are looking forward to returning to winning ways.”

Sunday’s match at the D’Almeida Stadium which forms part of the rugby festival kicks off at 12:00.

Toyota Free State XV – 15 Darren Adonis, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Marlou van Niekerk, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Marnus van der Merwe, 6 Otsile Ranthako, 5 Keanan Murry, 4 Sibabalo Qoma, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Elandré Huggett (captain), 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements - 16 Janus Venter, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Quintin Vorster, 19 Luyolo Dapula, 20 Bertie de Bod, 21 Dian Badenhorst, 22 Lubabalo Dobela.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport