Herman Mostert
Cape Town - The Free State Cheetahs have made three changes to their starting line-up for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Witbank on Friday.
Sias Ebersohn comes in at flyhalf, replacing the injured Johan Goosen. Goosen left the field concussed in the 25-all draw to the Golden Lions in Bloemfontein over the weekend. The Cheetahs' coaches are hopeful Goosen could return for their last round-robin clash at home against Griquas.
Riaan Smit will provide cover on the bench for Ebersohn.
The other enforced change sees prop WP Nel make his return to the team after recovering from a calf muscle injury. He replaces Coenie Oosthuizen - who was on Monday ruled out for the remainder of season.
Oosthuizen injured a cushion in his neck vertebrae against Lions and will be out of action for about four months. He was expected to undergo surgery in Bloemfontein on Tuesday and is only expected to return to action in next year's Super Rugby tournament.
Philip Snyman is also back at centre in place of Andries Strauss, but would need to pass a fitness test at Thursday's captain's run. Snyman missed the clash against the Lions due to a slight groin niggle.
The Free Staters are currently in third position on the log standings with 37 points - one behind the second-placed Sharks and eight adrift of the Lions in top spot.
The clash against the Pumas at the Puma Stadium kicks off at 19h10 on Friday evening.
Teams:
Pumas:
TBA
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Cameron Jacobs, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Andries Strauss.