Raymond Rhule has replaced Cornal Hendricks in the Free State Cheetahs' starting XV for Saturday's Currie Cup match against Griquas in Bloemfontein.

Coach Franco Smith has made three changes to the side that lost 32-24 against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

Rhule comes onto the left wing with Sergeal Petersen shifting to the right. Hendricks falls out of the match-day 22 altogether.

Henco Venter will start at flank in the absence of Oupa Mohoje and captain Francois Uys returns to the run-on XV ahead of Reniel Hugo at No 5 lock. 

Movement on the bench sees Theunis Nieuwoudt take Elandré Hugget’s place, while Niel Rautenbach, Zee Mkhabela and Tertius Kruger are also back in the match 22.

Free State Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Francois Uys (c), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 BG Uys.
Subs: 16 Theunis Nieuwoudt, 17 Neil Rautenbach, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Freddy Ngoza, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 Tertius Kruger, 22 Sias Ebersohn.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images