- Oupa Mohoje's return to competitive rugby is complete - 25 months after he first injured a troublesome right knee.
- On the bench for the Cheetahs against the Sharks on Friday, the 19-cap Springbok is mooted to begin this new chapter as a lock.
- Cheetahs skipper Junior Pokomela hails Mohoje's influence on his own game and leadership.
For the first time since 1 September 2018, Oupa Mohoje is highly likely to play competitive rugby again on Friday evening.
The 30-year-old utility forward has been included on the bench for the Cheetahs' Super Rugby Unlocked trip to Durban to meet the Sharks, a culmination of long and arduous road back after a career-threatening knee injury.
His return probably could've been sooner had it not been for a postive Covid-19 test before last month's Springbok Showdown at Newlands.
Yet, as the old adage go, the best things in life are worth waiting for and the return of one of Free State rugby's favourite sons is sweeter for it.
"It's a long time since Oupa has been on the field. I'm really glad for him that he has recovered and is back to full fitness," said Hawies Fourie, the Cheetahs' head coach.
"We're looking forward to his performance."
15 Manie Libbok, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter (captain), 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Werner Kok
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Junior Pokomela (captain), 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais
Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Khutha Mchunu , 19 Oupa Mohoje , 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Chris Smit
Given the ages the 19-cap Springbok had to spend on the sideline, there's a distinct sense that Mohoje's potential appearance at King's Park heralds the start of an actual new chapter to his career.
And that might extend to the position he'll be employed in.
With local rugby's flank factory continuing to churn out candidates, Mohoje probably finds himself on the back foot if he continues to operate in his traditional No 7 jersey.
But his experience at lock could prove handy, even if Fourie hasn't quite yet settled on that mooted plan.
"He's definitely on the bench this weekend to cover lock though he's obviously still an option at loose forward too," said the Cheetahs mentor.
"Oupa's been working really hard at his line-out jumping for months now, he's always been a very good option in the line-out. Admittedly, one has to consider that the scrumming aspect could be a bit of a seesaw but he's got ample time to work on it.
"I'm confident that he can seamlessly still operate between lock and flank for us."
Another major positive consequence of his return is that Mohoje's extensive leadership experience will prove invaluable to current stand-in skipper, Junior Pokomela.
"Having other leaders alongside me makes my responsibility so much easier," said the increasingly influential blindside flanker.
"It's great that Oupa's fit and ready and he's really been something that I've looked up to."
Kick-off is at 19:00.