CAPE TOWN - Former Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen will come out of retirement when he lines up for the Cheetahs against Munster in a PRO14 clash in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Goosen, 25, left Racing 92 in December 2016 and announced he would be taking up a position as commercial director at a horse stud farm in Bloemfontein, a decision that infuriated the French club at the time.
The versatile back has been training with the Cheetahs to keep fit ahead of a move back to France with Montpellier in July, and could fill a number of backline positions in the national side if he is on form and fit.
He will be watched this weekend by South African coach Rassie Erasmus as he seeks to stake an early claim for a place in the 2019 World Cup squad.
Montpellier paid Racing a reported fee of 1.4-million euros to buy out his contract, which had been set to run to 2020.
Goosen, who first moved to France in 2014, has played 13 times for the Boks and started at fullback in his last Test against Wales in November 2016.
This will be his Pro14 debut, and it doesn’t get much tough than Munster.
At centre Niel Marais will wear the No 12 jersey. Clinton Swart will be providing cover on the bench.
The Cheetahs have won their last three matches, against Connacht, Dragons and Cardiff Blues.
“We’ve now got three wins on the trot and would like to keep the momentum and focus completely on Munster,” said coach Rory Duncan.
The two teams have met once before with Munster winning 51-18 in Limerick in round two.
“We’ve grown tremendously as a team since the last time we played against Munster and we prepared for what lies ahead,” said Cheetahs captain, Francois Venter.
Cheetahs team:
Clayton Blommetjies, William Small-Smith, Francois Venter (captain), Niel Marais, Sibahle Maxwane, Johan Goosen, Tian Meyet, Uzair Cassiem, Oupa Mohoje, Paul Schoeman, Reniel Hugo, Carl Wegner, Johan Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Ox Nche. Replacements: Jacques du Toit, Charles Marais, Tom Botha, Rynier Bernardo, Henco Venter, Zee Mkhabela, Clinton Swart, AJ Coertzen.