Petersen in Cheetahs swan song
Fullback Sergeal Petersen will play in his last game for the Cheetahs, before moving to Western Province in November.
Springbok Raymond Rhule has most likely already played his last match for the Cheetahs, having been ruled out of this Friday's encounter with an ankle injury. He will also head to Cape Town in November.
The Free State Cheetahs will be facing the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup match – which will serve as a curtain raiser to the Pro14 encounter.
"Sergeal has been a great servant of Free State Rugby and added a lot of value to team,"Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan said.
"Playing in his last game for the Cheetahs will be a bit of motivation for the rest of the team," Duncan added.
Duncan made only one change to the team.
Sevens speedster Rosco Specman will be starting on the right wing, replacing the injured Rhule.
Luther Obi will be providing cover on the bench.
Other players not eligible for team selection due to injury include Elandre Huggett (knee), Neil Jordaan (ankle and knee), Steven Meiring (appendix), Gerhard Olivier (ankle), Ruan van Rensburg (knee), Fred Zeilinga (hip), Niel Marais (shoulder) and Uzair Cassiem (rib).
Cheetahs: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Rosco Specman, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Teboho Mohoje, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Nico Lee, 23 Luther Obi.
Date: Friday, October 6
Venue: Free State Stadium Bloemfontein'
Kick-off: 20.30 )19.30 UK time; 18.30 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni and Ben Crouse
TMO: Shawn Veldsman
