Ross Geldenhuys will start at tighthead prop in place of injured Coenie Oosthuizen for the Toyota Free State Cheetahs when they face the EP Kings in Bloemfontein on Friday in the first of two promotion-relegation matches.
Pieter Labuschagne also recovered from injury and takes over at flank from Francois Uys, who in turn moves to lock in place of Carl Wegner - the latter dropping down to the bench.
Andries Strauss will face the team he has signed for in 2013.
The Cheetahs team is: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Phillip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Merwe, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Tewis du Bruyn, 21 Phillip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin.