Currie Cup champions Free State Cheetahs have been boosted by the return of Springbok Meyer Bosman at centre for Saturday's Currie Cup match in Bloemfontein against the Lions.

Coach Naka Drotské has also included former Bok flyhalf Chris Rossouw at pivot.

Kobus Calldo is back at prop after a lengthy calf injury, while current Sevens Springboks Schalk van der Merwe and Neil Powell have also been included, at number eight and at scrumhalf respectively.

It is a team loaded with pace, with flank Heinrich Brüssow and wings Jongi Nokwe and Eddie Fredericks also boasting international Sevens experience.

On the bench Sevens legend Fabian Juries and Kabamba Floors are current Sevens Boks, while Jandré Blom is also a former Sevens Bok.

There was one setback for coach Naka Drotské ahead of the Lions clash, with young Robert Ebersohn becoming unavailable for selection after suffering injury on Sunday while on duty for SA Under-20 against Wales Under-20 in the International Rugby Board Junior World Championships.

"He suffered a heavy knock on his ribs in the SA U-20 game against Wales," Drotské told OFM Sport.

"We don't want to risk further injury to such a young player like Robert, especially not against the Lions."

Ebersohn's withdrawal has opened up a spot on the replacement bench for centre Hendrik Meyer.

The Cheetahs have a good, solid pack to go with this speed and skill, and the long-awaited return of Calldo gives the tight five added solidity.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Chris Rossouw, 9 Neil Powell, 8 Schalk van der Merwe, 7 Hendro Scholtz (captain), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Jaco du Toit, 17 Phillip Lemmer, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Kabamba Floors, 19 Jandré Blom, 20 Hendrik Meyer, 21 Fabian Juries.

Date: Saturday, June 28
Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Christie du Preez
Touch judges: Gareth Lloyd-Jones, Lourens van der Merwe
Television match official: Michael Cupido

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