Johannesburg - Springbok flanker Juan Smith will make a welcome return to the playing field for the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby warm up game against the Stormers on Saturday in Bloemfontein.
It was in the Free State stadium that Smith injured his achilles tendon in a Super Rugby match in 2011, a injury that was thought to end his rugby career, but two years later the burly flanker has recovered and will make an appearance against the visitors.
“He will get some game time, even if it is only ten minutes,” Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske confirmed on Wednesday.
The coach named a group of 27 players to take on the Stormers, with Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss also back in the thick of things.
In a change at halfback pairing Sarel Pretorius and Riaan Smit come in for Piet van Zyl and Francois Brummer respectively. The latter duo played against the Lions last week.
Cheetahs team: Hennie Daniller, Jannie Boshoff, Johann Sadie, Rayno Benjamin, Rocco Jansen, Riaan Smit, Sarel Pretorius, Phillip van der Walt, Davon Raubenheimer, Boom Prinsloo, Waltie Vermeulen, Ligtoring Landman, Louwrens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: Ryno Barnes, Caylib Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Francois Uys, Frans Viljoen, Juan Smith, Lappies Labuscaghne, Piet van Zyl, Elgar Watts, Barry Geel, Willie le Roux.
Sapa