Strauss is back in contention after he served a two-week suspension for a tip-tackle on Lions lock Wikus van Heerden in the first match of the season.
His inclusion sees Philip Snyman moving out of the match-day 22 altogether.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has shuffled his loose trio combination for the fourth time in as many games. Philip van der Walt will move from the side of the scrum to eighthman, with Ashley Johnson shifting to the bench.
Davon Raubenheimer will receive a starting berth at openside flank.
Teams:
Rebels:
TBA
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Justin Downey, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Rayno Benjamin