With Ernst Stapelberg no longer available for the union, Dobela will have to fill the void.

OFM Sport has it on good authority that the player will be moving up to the Currie Cup and Guinness Pro14 squads at the conclusion on the Challenge series.

Ernst Stapelberg, who was the starter regular in the role earlier in the competition is done with rugby as his contract with the union expires on Friday. The regular captain, Elandré Huggett, who was not able to play last week due to illness is also finished with rugby at the Free State.

Dobela told OFM Sport that it is easy to develop as a player in the current team environment.

“It’s easy to play rugby with the guys such as we have here at the Free State because it is a very welcoming and friendly environment. The guys really do work for each other here.

“I’ve gained a lot of confidence throughout this competition, but I want to work on staying in control of the game, staying in that moment and not fluctuating.”

Last week Dobela started at flyhalf and scored a brace of tries for the team during their 66-10 drubbing of the Zimbabwe Academy side at the False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town.

Sunday’s match at the Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth kicks off at 12:30.

Toyota Free State XV - 15 Tapiwe Mafura, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Carel Jan Coetzee, 12 Marlou van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jasper Wiese (captain), 7 Niell Jordaan, 6 Bertie de Bod, 5 Keanan Murray, 4 Luyolo Dapula, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements – 16 Jacques du Toir, 17 Quintin Vorster, 18 Günther Janse van Vuuren, 19 Otsile Ranthako, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Dian Badenhorst, 22 Adriaan Carelse.

@MorganPiek/OFM Sport