Ox Nche will start at loosehead prop in one of three changes to the Free State Cheetahs' starting lineup for Saturday's clash with Griquas in Bloemfontein.

Coach Franco Smith has selected Nche ahead of Charles Marais, who drops to the bench. In the only other change to the pack, Henco Venter replaces Paul Schoeman on the side of the scrum.

In the back division, Raymond Rhule returns to the left wing, with last week's hat-trick hero Rayno Benjamin moving to the right. Sergeal Petersen falls out of the match-day squad.

Torsten van Jaarsveld (hooker), Marais (prop), Willem Serfontein (lock) and William Small-Smith (utility back) have all been incluced on the bench.

The unbeaten Cheetahs are top of the standings and will host one of the semi-finals in two weeks' time.

Free State Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Francois Venter (c), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Willem Serfontein, 19 Tienie Burger, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 William Small-Smith.

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix