The Cheetahs will be without Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Jaer and Benhard Janse van Rensburg for their upcoming Pro14 tour to Ireland and Wales.

The Bloemfontein-based side has counted the cost of their narrow derby victory against the Kings after losing three first-choice players to injury for a crucial part of the season.

Dweba (hamstring), Jaer (knee) and Janse van Rensburg (concussion) were all left out of the 25-man squad for the three-week tour.

New recruits Tapiwa Mafura and Dries Swanepoel could both stand a chance of making their first appearances for the Cheetahs, as they were included in place of Jaer and Janse van Rensburg.

The Cheetahs, currently two points off a playoff place in Conference A, will be facing Connacht first, followed by the Scarlets and then end the tour against Leinster in Dublin.

Cheetahs – Aranos Coetzee, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Jacques du Toit, Louis Fouche, Nico Lee, Sintu Manjezi, Tapiwa Mafura, Charles Marais, Rabz Maxwane, Tian Meyer, Ox Nche, Abongile Nonkontwana, Gerhard Olivier, Rudy Paige, Junior Pokomela, Tian Schoeman, William Small-Smith, Walt Steenkamp, Dries Swanepoel, Marnus van der Merwe, Henco Venter, Reinach Venter, Shaun Venter, Jasper Wiese.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images