Cape Town - The Cheetahs' preparations for their Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday have been disrupted with three key players unable to train.

According to the Volksblad website, captain Adriaan Strauss (hooker, ankle), Johan Goosen (flyhalf, illness) and Lappies Labuschagné (flank, hamstring) will only be able to start training on Thursday at the captain's practice.

These setbacks have disrupted the team's preparations in a shortened week due to the game being played on Friday.

The good news, however, is that all three should be ready to face the Waratahs with the Cheetahs looking to build on their impressive 36-19 win over the Highlanders in Invercargill last week.

"It makes the training sessions tougher, because guys like Johan and Lappies are in the starting team but cannot train. But there's nothing we can do about it," said backline coach Hawies Fourie.

Meanwhile, reserve flyhalf Riaan Smit also has a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Burton Francis on the bench if he fails a fitness test on Thursday. Should Labuschagne be unable to play, Boom Prinsloo will replace him in the starting team.

Springboks Heinrich Brüssow (flank) and Coenie Oosthuizen (prop) are likely to remain on the substitutes bench after recently returning from long injury layoffs.

The clash in Sydney kicks off at 10:40 (SA time) on Friday.