In 2008, prior to the start of the Super 14 season, Ferreira suffered a neck injury during a vehicle accident. He made his return to the field during the last four rounds of the competition, however, a year later he retired from rugby due to further injuries to the vertebrae.

He made his unexpected return to the sport for Western Province before the start of the 2012 season.

Ferreira has been named in the starting XV for Sunday’s must-win match against the French Top14 club.

The player, who will be turning 39 next month, told OFM Sport that he is blessed, especially after having to quit the game due to a serious neck injury.

"I'm very grateful to be a part of the Cheetahs team that is playing international games again," said the loosehead prop.

"My players let me know that those cups are for international franchise games. So, the Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup and those kinds of games don't count.

"It's a great privilege. More than 12 years ago, they told me I would never play rugby again. Now I'm running out for my 100th.

"We are loving it in a very cold Parma and we know how grateful we must be to be part of this European league.

"I also know how much it means for the Cheetahs, and hopefully we finish in the top 16.

"We are focusing on this weekend’s game and for us the goal is to reach the top 16.

"I'm just very chuffed and very grateful"

Sunday’s match in Parma will kick off at 17:15.

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Branden de Kock, 22 Evardi Boshoff, 23 Andell Loubser.

Section Paloise - 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Clément Laporte, 13 Yvan Reilhac, 12 Nathan Decron, 11 Daniel Ikpefan, 10 Thibault Debaes, 9 Clovis Lebail, 8 Jordan Joseph, 7 Martin Puech, 6 Sacha Zeguer, 5 Mickael Capelli, 4 Guillaume Ducat, 3  Siate Tokolahi, 2 Romain Ruffenach, 1 Ignacio Calles.

Replacements - 16 Lucas Rey, 17 Rémi Seneca, 18 Guram Papidze, 19 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 20 Thibaut Hamonou, 21 Reece Hewat, 22 Dan Robson, 23 Tumua Manu.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek