The Toyota Cheetahs have named their team for Friday's Toyota Challenge game against the Western Force in Mandurah, and a handful of players will make their long awaited return from injury.

Upfront, Victor Laurence returns from injury and he will start at tighthead prop, while Sibabalo Qoma will start at flank.

In the backline, Rewan Kruger will start at scrumhalf and he forms the halfback combination with Ruan Pienaar.

Reinhardt Fortuin will start at outside centre, with Daniel Kasende playing on the wing. Both missed the two games in Bloemfontein through injury.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, said the players returning from injury will make a big difference, especially in the backline.

“We’ve selected a strong and experienced team on the first game on tour against Western Force,” said Fourie.

“We look forward to the game. A few players coming back after months out, like Reinhardt Fortuin, and Daniel Kasende in the backline and it will make a difference.

“We will use the Toyota Challenge games again to prepare for the European Challenge Cup in December, giving some players opportunity for the team and that tour, so it’s an important series for us against the Western Force and we believe it will go well on Friday.”

Friday’s game at the Lane Group Stadium in Perth kicks off at 13:00.

Western Force – TBA

Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Laurence Victor, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jeandré Rudolph, 22 Raegan Oranje, 23 George Lourens

Morgan Piek OFM Sport