The Cheetahs received a double boost ahead of their Super Rugby season-opener against the Sharks, with two Springboks returning to the team.
Bok flyhalf Johan Goosen has passed a fitness test and has been named to start at flyhalf in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The 20-year-old flyhalf, capped four times for his country last year, has made a satisfactory recovery from shoulder surgery and a foot complaint and his return sets up a delectable head-to-head between two talented young pivots - Goosen and Patrick Lambie.
The other Bok returning is prop Coenie Oosthuizen, back after his back and neck injuries last year.
However, he will only play off the bench as the Cheetahs coaching staff ease him back.
Both trained with the team on Monday and again worked out with their Cheetahs teammates on Tuesday, before a final call was made on their availability for Saturday.
Goosen, who left his mark on the Super Rugby scene last year before he suffered a serious shoulder injury against the Highlanders, also struggled with a heel injury.
However, his biggest setback was the knee injury, which required surgery, which he suffered in the Test against the All Blacks in Soweto.
In the pre-season the heel against became tender and inflamed, but has now responded to treatment.
Oosthuizen, who suffered a succession of neck and back injuries last year, has been steadily working his way back to full fitness.
The team will be captained by Springbok vice-captain Adriaan Strauss and will also feature new recruit Johann Sadie - signed from the Bulls last year.
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 Lodewyk 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
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Tiaan Jonker (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
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