Springbok tourist Raymond Rhule is one of four players who felt the wrath of Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské axe.

The Cheetahs host defending champions Western Province in a crucial Currie Cup match in Bloemfontein on Friday.

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Drotské also dropped loose forward Davon Raubenheimer, lock Petrus Vermeulen and prop Rossouw de Klerk in the wake of a game that saw the Free State outfit cough up 50 points against the Sharks last week.

However, the axing of Rhule – who toured with the Springboks to Ireland, Scotland and England in November 2012 – is a clear indication that Drotské will no longer tolerate ‘passengers’; in his team.

Young Piet Lindeque, 22, will start on the left wing in place of the 20-year-old Rhule, whom Drotské said was simply “out of form” at the moment.

The changes to the under-performing pack is even more dramatic.

Teboho Mohoje, who has been a revelation as a lock – whether starting or coming off the bench – will move to his preferred position of flank. The 23-year-old Mohoje will wear the No.7 jersey, with Pieter Labuschagne at No.6 and captain Johannes Prinsloo shifting to No.8 in place of Raubenheimer.

Freddie Ngoza comes in as No.4 lock – with Lodewyk de Jager at No.5 and Waltie Vermeulen dropping out of the matchday 22.

Ngoza, a 22-year-old who has the unusual first names of Frederick Ntandyenkosi, is another utility forward that played for Shimlas (Free State University) in the Varsity Cup and is more at home in the back row that the second row.

Schalk van der Merwe, another 22-year-old, will start at loosehead prop – forcing discarded Springbok Trevor Nyakane to move to the tighthead and Rossouw de Klerk dropping down to the bench.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Piet Lindeque, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Johannes Prinsloo (Captain), 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Pieter Labuschagné, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Freddie Ngoza, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 AJ le Roux, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Francois Uys, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Rayno Benjamin, 22 Willie du Plessis.

Date: Friday 27 September
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant Referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Pieter Janse van Vuuren
TMO: Willie Roos