Veteran playmaker Frans Steyn and loose forward Friedle Olivier have been included in the Cheetahs’ 28-man touring squad for two matches in the European Challenge Cup.

Steyn injured his hamstring in the Cheetahs’ debut match in the competition against Pau in December, while Olivier reportedly injured his ankle at training on Monday.

However, hooker Marnus van der Merwe (hamstring) has been left at home, along with props Marne Coetzee (neck) and Mzamo Majola (loan), who have been replaced by Alulutho Tshakweni and Conraad van Vuuren.

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The suspended Oupa Mohoje has also been named – the Springbok flanker is set to return on 16 January, but is free to play from 9 January if he agrees to participate in World Rugby’s coaching intervention class.

The Free Staters will leave Bloemfontein on Sunday to travel to Wales for the round three clash against the Scarlets on Friday, 13 January, in Llanelli.

Their next match will be against Pau in Parma, Italy, on Sunday, 22 January. The Cheetahs host their home games at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy, as one of the conditions of participation in the 2022-23 EPCR.

Cheetahs full tour squad:
Forwards (16): Rynier Bernardo, Aranos Coetzee, Schalk Ferreira, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Oupa Mohoje, Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandré Rudolph, Victor Sekekete (c), Alulutho Tshakweni, Conraad van Vuuren, Louis van der Westhuizen, Hencus van Wyk, Janus Venter, Mzwanele Zito.
Backs (12): David Brits, Robert Ebersohn, Reinhardt Fortuin, Munier Hartzenberg, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, Andell Loubser, Tapiwa Mafura, Siya Masuku, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn.

Photo: Fred Porcu/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix