Flanker Kabamba Floors will start on the left wing when Free State play the Sharks at King's Park.
Injuries to Wilton Pietersen and Fabian Juries have compounded the loss of Springbok Jongi Nokwe and, with the union short on wingers, coach Naka Drotske has turned to Floors. Like Juries, the blond-haired dynamo is a Sevens specialist and so shouldn't be lacking for pace.
Floors will take the place of Juries while Eddie Fredericks is back from injury to fill the void left by Pietersen.
Drotske has retained the back row that started against Western Province with Heinrich Brussow remaining on the bench.
Tewis de Bruyn also holds on to the flyhalf jersey despite the return of Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who will play from the bench. Potgieter is back after a stint with the Griffons.
Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Kabamba Floors, 10 Tewis de Bruyn, 9 Neil Powell, 8 Duanne Vermeulen, 7 Juan Smith (capt), 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 David de Villiers, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Andries Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez. Subs: 16 Richard Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Nico Breedt, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 J W Jonker, 22 Hendrik Meyer
- Blue Bulls flank Deon Stegmann has been found not guilty of a dangerous tackle in the match against the Sharks last Saturday.
Stegmann appeared before a disciplinary committee on Tuesday but was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, he gets a well-deserved break and will not be in action against the Boland Cavaliers on Friday. - Sapa