Cheetahs v W Force: Teams

There are three personnel changes and one positional switch in the Cheetahs starting XV for Saturday's Super 14 clash with Western Force.

Injuries to number eight Frans Viljoen and wing Jongi Nokwe mean that Phillip van der Walt and Robert Ebersohn are brought into the side.

Van der Walt will take Viljoen's place the back of the scrum while Ebersohn slots in at outside centre, moving Corne Uys to right wing.

Bjorn Basson switches wings from right to left.

The only other change to the starting XV is at hooker where Skipper Badenhorst rotates with Ryno Barnes, who drops to the bench.

Davon Raubenheimer, Marnus Hugo and Danwel Demas come on to the bench to fill the gaps.

Western Force have been boosted by the return of James O'Connor for their trip to Vodacom Park.

The Wallaby's return to fitness has coincided with Cameron Shepherd recovering after being a late withdrawal from the side that beat the Lions.

Overall, John Mitchell has named an almost full-strength line-up as he looks to finish the term strongly, with Tom Hockings back at lock.

Elsewhere and Nathan Charles has been given his second start at hooker ahead of Ben Whittaker while Matt Dunning returns to bench duty as Tim Fairbrother returns to the number three jersey in Bloemfontein.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Corne Uys, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Phillip van der Walt , 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Izak van der Westhuizen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Skipper Badenhorst, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Robert Ebersohn.

Western Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 David Hill, 9 Justin Turner, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Nick Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Mark Bartholomeusz.