Ekeji was named on the bench for the opening match of the Toyota Challenge Cup and he looks forward to the opportunity to play.

Ekeji grew up in Bloemfontein and represented the Free State in the 2019 Craven Week.

The powerful speedster told OFM Sport that he looks forward to playing in the city that is dear to him.

“I'm very thankful and grateful to be given this opportunity.

“There are some people my age and even older that haven't had this kind of opportunity.

“It's very special that it is in Bloemfontein, which is where I grew up and played for Grey College. I have so much love for this city and the place.

“It's very much a full-circle moment for me.”

Rikus Pretorius, André-Hugo Venter, and Marcell Theunissen, who are all also playing for Province, were at school with Ekeji.

Saturday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:30.

Tickets are still on sale at the stadium ticket office. No tickets will be sold on game day.

Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Rosko Specman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis (captain), 7 Thembalani Bohli, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Beertjie van Vuuren, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.

Replacements - 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jeandré Labuschagne, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Zinedine Booysen, 22 Brandon Thomson, 1 Evardi Boshoff

Western Province XV - 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Nama Xaba (captain), 6 JJ Kotze, 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons

Replacements - 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Romauld Ntumba, 21 Simon Miller, 22 Thomas Bursey, 23 Paschal Ekeji, 24 Mambo Mkhize, 25 Litha Nkula

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport