The veteran halfback missed the Cheetahs’ 62-52 triumph over the Bulls in Pretoria due to a shoulder injury, but returns for a match in which the Free Staters need to collect log points to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Following Suzuki Griquas’ convincing 38-14 drubbing of the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday, just two points will be enough for the Cheetahs to advance to the playoffs. A win will secure a home semi-final, while a bonus-point victory would be the ideal result.

In the backline, Clayton Blommetjies returns from concussion to start at fullback.

Carel-Jan Coetzee starts at outside centre, while Tiaan Swanepoel will marshal the backline in the absence of Jaco van der Walt, who is ill. De Klerk replaces Rewan Kruger, who rotates to the bench.

Up front, Sisonke Vumazonke and Ramon Uys start at flank, while Frankie Dos Reis returns to the starting line-up at tighthead prop.

20-year-old Stefan Venter will make his debut off the bench - SA Rugby

On the bench, former SA Schools and Hoërskool Jim Fouché hooker Stefan Venter will make his debut. The 20-year-old gets his opportunity following Marko Janse van Rensburg’s two-match suspension.

Dux Manyama and Pierre Uys also return from lengthy injury lay-offs, providing the Cheetahs with a welcome boost.

It will also be the first time the Uys brothers could feature in the same match, although it remains to be seen whether they will get an opportunity to take the field together.

Boland, meanwhile, have made ten changes to their side, with several regular starters named on the bench to add impact later in the game.

The Wellington-based side are currently on a three-match winning streak against the Cheetahs and, like their opponents, remain firmly in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

Sunday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi

Replacements -  16 Stefan Venter, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Pierre Uys, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Jooste Nel

Boland Cavaliers - 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Cornell Engelbrecht, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams (captain), 4 Johnré Stopforth, 3 Mthokozisi Gumede, 2 Joshua Eras, 1 Alistair Vermaak

Replacements - 16 Sidney Tobias, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Jeandré Leonard, 20 Michael Benadie, 21 Thurlow Marsh, 22 Bentley Geldenhuys, 23 James Tedder

Morgan Piek OFM Sport