Francois Venter has returned to South Africa after sustaining a shoulder injury in last week's battle against the Hurricanes.

The Cheetahs will now be forced to field another player in that No 12 position. Francois Brummer has flown to New Zealand as injury cover, but it could be that Rayno Benjamin starts at inside centre against the Blues.

The good news for the Cheetahs is that wing Raymond Rhule has been cleared of his ankle injury and will play this weekend.

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