Springbok fly-half Johan Goosen will return to action when he starts for the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby opener against the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
"It is good to have Johan back in the thick of things," Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said on Wednesday.
"He is one of our star players and looked very good during practice. We look forward to a good performance from him against the Sharks."
Goosen was kept on the sidelines for nearly four months with a knee injury sustained last season. He also struggled with a sore heel which limited his goal kicking ability.
He had recovered in time to be included in the starting line-up and would partner with scrum-half Piet van Zyl.
Drotske confirmed Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen will get some game time on Saturday.
Oosthuizen had recovered from a neck injury suffered last season while playing for the Springboks against England and had been included on the bench.
"He definitely will get some time on the field and as a ball carrier he will be crucial to our campaign," Drotske said.
Drotske selected a side that combined power among the forwards with flair in the back-line.
The Cheetahs had lost stalwarts Andries Strauss to the Southern Kings and Sias Ebersohn to the Western Force, but their back-line was all but lacking in pace.
Griquas full-back Willie le Roux was selected on wing, partnering with another exciting prospect in Raymond Rhule.
New signing Johann Sadie would start alongside Robert Ebersohn as the hosts' centre combination after switching from the Bulls last season.
Loose forward Frans Viljoen earned a start in the flanker position after impressive performances in the warm-up matches against the Stormers and Bulls.
He would be one of the go-to guys for the Cheetahs looking for quality first-phase possession.
"Frans brings that physical factor that we need and he will form a good combination with Lappies Labuschagne and Philip van der Walt," Drotske said.
"We are playing our first game at home and it will be a huge boost if we can come away with the win."
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Ryno Benjamin.
Date: Saturday, February 23
Kick-off: 17:05 local (15:05 GMT)
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Tiaan Jonker (South Africa)
Television match official: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
Comments
carpelone says...
Cheetaahs are one of my favourite sides. I do hope that Goosen will stay injury free. It is time to get the RC back to SA.
Posted 14:47 21st February 2013
bloemboy says...
The backline looks very, very good. Both wings are future springboks and I think Sadie will revel in the Cheetah style of play. The forwards are looking thin though. Havent seen any games this year so interesting to hear that Viljoen is rated highly. van der Walt is an underrated 8 as well. In the tight 5 there is a concern. Losing WP Nel, Coenie not completely fit yet suggest that we may well have a lot of back foot ball, though this backline can do the deed.
I am surprised that van Zyl was preferred to Pretorius
Best of luck to the best team to watch in the S15. GO CHEETAHS!!!!!!
Posted 06:34 21st February 2013
georgesmith says...
J. Goosen and A. Strauss will lead the Cheetahs to an upset victory over the Sharks. J. Goosen is world-class and so is A. Strauss.
Posted 04:17 21st February 2013
ben7 says...
That is an INCREDIBLE backline. Put Pretorius, Brussow, Oosthuizen (and possibly Juan Smith) on and its amazing!!!!
Posted 23:20 20th February 2013
UBA05 says...
The Cheetahs probably my no.2 team atfer the Chiefs. You simply couldnt help but fall in love with the enterprising all-out attacking brand of rugby they played last season. Here's to hoping they can replicate that and cut out the errors and lapses in defence. Definitely one to watch out for.
GO CHEETAHS!!!!
Posted 12:36 20th February 2013