Oupa headlines Cheetahs team against Bulls

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs have made several changes to their starting XV to face the Bulls in the Round three of the Currie Cup.

Following their 52-12 win over Griffons in Welkom, the Cheetahs host their first Currie Cup game of the season this Friday in Bloemfontein.

And it is certainly a big one for the Free State team who face the Bulls.

The starting line-up shows seven changes - five in the pack and two in the backline.

Springbok flank Teboho 'Oupa' Mohoje returns to the starting line-up.

Mohoje's last match was against Pau during the European Challenge Cup match in December.

The flank received a three-week ban following his red card during that  European match.

Mohoje, will join the new loose trio which sees Jeandré Rudolph coming in at No.8 and Gideon van der Merwe at flank.

Lock Rynier Bernardo moves from the bench and joins captain Victor Seketete in the second row.

Hencus van Wyk and hooker Marnus van der Merwe make up the new front row alongside Schalk Ferreira.

In the backline, Cohan Jasper gets a shot at fullback. Jasper replaces Tapiwa Mafura, who moves to the bench.

Robert Ebersohn takes a spot in the midfield where he partners with Frans Steyn.

The pair's collaboration hands Cheetahs a great deal of experience in the midfield.

Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Lawrence Victor, 19 Sibabalo Qoma, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 David Brits, 23 Tapiwa Mafura

Date: Friday, March 24

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Referees: Local

TMO: Egon Seconds