Cape Town - The Cheetahs are experiencing trouble in the second row with both Martin Muller and Andries Ferreira sidelined for an extended period.

The duo was expected to be coach Naka Drotské's first-choice lock-pairing for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

According to the Volksblad website, Muller injured his groin in training and is expected to be sidelined for three months, while Ferreira (knee) is likely to miss their Super Rugby opener at home to the Sharks on February 23 as well as their Australasian tour thereafter.

"Martin will be operated on. It is a big blow," said Drotské. "He stood a good chance to start at No 5 in our first Super-game."

Francois Uys replaces Muller for their pre-season game against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Uys, Ferreira, Muller, Lodewyk (Lood) de Jager, Waltie Vermeulen and Ligtoring Landman are the Cheetahs' locks for the season.

Meanwhile, Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss will be rested for the Lions game which will see centre Robert Ebersohn taking over as captain. He will be partnered in midfield by JP Nel as Johann Sadie still has a slight hamstring niggle.

Teams:

Lions: TBA

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 JP Nel, 12 Robert Ebersohn (captain), 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Pieter van Zyl, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Tertius Daniller, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.

Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ligtoring Landman, 19 Waltie Vermeulen, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Barry Geel, 22 Hansie Graaff.

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