Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske wasted no timer in drafting back a host of his frontline players ahead of the Currie Cup semifinal showdown with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

After giving some fringe players a run in the 55-10 win over the hapless Boland Cavaliers last week, Drotske has named a powerful line-up for the trip to Durban.

The most notable changes are the return of Sevens Springbok Lionel Mapoe and flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who were rested last week to give their battered bodies a break.

Mapoe comes back on the right wing after overcoming his hamstring troubles, while Potgieter no longer has problems with his back spasms.

JP Joubert also returns at scrumhalf, after Tewis de Bruyn started in the last two games to get some much-needed game time. De Bruyn only returned recently after undergoing pre-season surgery.

WP Nel also returns at prop in place of Coenie Oosthuizen, who drops down to the replacement bench.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Frans Viljoen, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt (captain), 3 WP Nel, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Coenie Oosthuizen, 17 Izak van der Westhuizen, 18 Hendro Scholtz, 19 Lukas Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Fabian Juries.

Date: Saturday, October 17
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete, Christie du Preez
TMO: Johann Meuwesen