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Johannesburg - Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow will miss the Cheetahs' opening Super Rugby game against the Sharks next week.
The flank rejoined his Bloemfontein team-mates this week but will be given the opening week off as he has played a lot of rugby of later, coach Naka Drotské told the supersport.com website.
Brüssow missed the Docomo Red Hurricanes' game against the NEC Green Rockets last week because of concussion, but this isn't the reason he will be rested.
"He has played a lot of rugby of late, he left straight after Super Rugby to go to Japan and played in almost all of their games.
"We've given him two weeks off, so he will play in our second game of the season," said Drotské.
This means Brüssow will play against the Blues in Bloemfontein on February 27 to mark his return to Super Rugby.
The other Japanese-based player, Johan Sadie, was on the bench for Wednesday's warm-up game against the Griffons and will be considered for the opening game of the season.
Making it easier for Drotské to rest Brüssow is the fact that Boom Prinsloo was back in action on Wednesday, while Willie Britz has been exceptional since rejoining the Cheetahs.
Drotské also has Springbok Teboho "Oupa" Mohoje and the promising Jean Cook who can also fill in at loose forward.
Britz captained the side against the Stormers, while Francois Uys captained the team in their pre-season friendly against the Bulls, but no indication has been given of who will lead the side against the Sharks.
