Sias Ebersohn will start at flyhalf for the Cheetahs as they take on the Western Force in Bloemfontein this weekend.

Ebersohn has been forced to play second fiddle to Johan Goosen this season, with the former’s lack of game time perhaps a factor in his unfortunate late penalty miss that undid his team against the Highlanders last week. He’ll have a chance to redeem himself now, with Goosen’s serious shoulder injury making the flyhalf jersey Ebersohn’s once more.

Riaan “True Blue” Smit comes onto the bench this week, while a rotational change at lock sees George Earle start in place of Andries Ferreira, who was actually very good last week.