Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has been forced into making a number of changes to his team, as they chase a place in the Currie Cup play-offs.

The Cheetahs team, to face the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington in their final league match of the season on Saturday, shows five changes from that which smashed the hapless Leopards 60-17 last week.

Two of the changes come after flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter and wing Lionel Mapoe were ruled out with injuries.

Louis Strydom starts at No.10 and another Springbok Sevens star, Danwel Demas, comes in on the wing.

Also back is star Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow, in place of Hendro Scholtz, and Bok wing Jongi Nokwe for Sevens flyer Fabian Juries.

The other changes sees Coenie Oosthuizen come into the starting XV at tighthead prop in place of Cobus Calldo.

It is a big move for Oosthuizen, who has played all his rugby this year as loosehead, to start such a crucial game on the other side of the scrum.

The Cheetahs need a full five points from the game against the Cavaliers and must hope that Griquas do not get two points (either a draw or two bonus points) against the Sharks, in order for the Cheetahs to edge Griquas into the top four and a place in the semifinals.

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

Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Joey Salmans
Assistant referees: Matt Kemp, Marc van Zyl
TMO: JC Fortuin