Cape Town - The Cheetahs will head to Cape Town with two teams when they take on the Stormers and the Lions in the Neo Africa Tri-Series.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské told the Volksblad newspaper he will choose a group of 30 players for the series at Newlands later this month. This comes after the central union was asked to join the event after the Sharks withdrew their invitation.

Drotské said they'll only bring fit players to Cape Town where they face the Lions on Tuesday, January 31 and the Stormers on Saturday, February 4.

"We're taking 30 guys to Cape Town. They obviously all have to be fit to play. We'll leave the injured one's at home," said the coach.

This means that injured Springbok flank Juan Smith (Achilles) and prop Coenie Oosthuizen (neck) will stay behind and continue with their rehabilitation in Bloemfontein.

The duo will, however, travel with the side to Jeffrey's Bay the week before their Cape Town trip. The Cheetahs visit the surf-mad town annually for their pre-Super Rugby training camp.

Drotské will announce a 35-man squad to go to Jeffrey's Bay next week.

They'll also play a warm-up game against the Southern Kings in East London on Saturday, January 28 before returning to Bloemfontein the following day, only to quickly head off to the Mother City for the Neo Africa Tri-Series.