The hooker Joseph Dweba is the more notable exclusion from the touring squad, and this is due to a knee injury, while he also had a heavy workload this season.

The Griquas loose forward, Sias Koen, will also not be making the trip overseas this time after going on the previous tour for the games against Connacht in Galway, Scarlets in Llanelli and Cardiff Blues in the Welsh capital city.

There is also no place in the squad for the Springbok Oupa Mohoje who is training at full pace with the team after recovering from a knee injury with he sustained against Munster in Limerick nearly 15 months ago.

Louis Fouché has also been excluded that his will mean that George Whitehead will have a much bigger role to play in the team as cover at flyhalf and or at fullback.

Furthermore, Aidon Davies and Marnus van der Merwe, make a return from injury, while Chris Massyn and Chris Smit are first-time tourists. Last season’s leading try-scorer in the PRO14, Rabz Maxwane, also makes a return at the expense of Anthony Volmink.

Davis recently told OFM Sport that he is fit and ready to slot back into the team if the occasions arises.

“The guys who stayed behind and didn’t go on the tour had a tough three weeks of training.

“The idea behind that was that if we are needed we will be fit and ready to go.

“I am fit and ready, and my injury is a thing of the past now. I’m just waiting for my chance to play now and contribute to the team.”

The coach, Fourie, and captain, Ruan Pienaar, flew out today, while the rest of the squad will depart on Wednesday.

The Ospreys face the Cheetahs at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Saturday evening with kick-off at 21:35.

Cheetahs touring squad (alphabetical order) - Wilmar Arnoldi, Craig Barry, Clayton Blommetjies, Aranos Coetzee, Aidon Davis, Luan de Bruin, Erich de Jager, JP du Preez, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Sintu Manjezi, Chris Massyn, Rabz Maxwane, Tian Meyer, Gerhard Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Junior Pokomela, Tian Schoeman, William Small-Smith, Rhyno Smith, Chris Smit, Walt Steenkamp, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Reinach Venter, George Whitehead.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport