The match will see the return of the hooker, Jacques du Toit, to the Free State setup.

Du Toit left the Cheetahs for the Southern Kings after the Currie Cup final last year, however, he finds himself back in Bloemfontein following the liquidation of the Port Elizabeth-based franchise.

Du Toit told OFM Sport that what happened to the Kings was disappointing, but he is happy to be back.

“We really enjoyed our time in Port Elizabeth, and I was preparing myself to be the captain for the season.

“I was looking forward to that, but I am really excited to be one of the few guys to get an opportunity to play right now.

“The last time that I played for the Cheetahs was during the previous Currie Cup when we won in the final.

“I’m really excited to be a part of that winning culture and build from where I left off.”

Friday mornings’ match at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 11:00, and not spectators are permitted.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs - 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Craig Barry, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (C ), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Aidon Davis , 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais.

Reserves - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Boan Venter, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Marnus van der Merwe, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Rewan Kruger, 24 George Cronje, 25 Howard Mnisi, 26 Reinhardt Fortuin, 27 Ruben de Haas, 28 Jacques du Toit.

Griquas – 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Daniel Kasensde, 13 Eduan Keyter, 12 André Swarts, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Carl Els, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Mox Mxoli.

Replacements - 16 CJ Conradie, 17 Bandia Ndlovu, 18 Madot Mabokela, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Mzwanele Zito, 21 Ewan Coetzee, 22 Johan Momsen, 23 Gideon van der Merwe, 24 CJ Velleman, 25 Chriswill September, 26 Ashon Davids, 27 Berton Klaasen, 28 Jonathan Francke, 29 Harlon Klaasen, 30 Bjorn Basson.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport