Springbok Andries Strauss, just back from a serious groin injury, will captain the Cheetahs in their opening match of the Currie Cup season.

Strauss, who missed most of the Super Rugby season, after joining the Cheetahs from the Sharks this year, will be in charge when the Leopards arrive in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The midfielder earned his Bok call-up with a series of stand-out performances for the Sharks, including a Man of the Match effort in the win over Western Province in the Final, in last year's Currie Cup.

He will add some grunt to an exciting Cheetahs backline that includes the ever-improving Ebersohn twines, Robert and Sias.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské, who is also in a battle to retain his always paper-thin player resources from the cash-flush raiders in Durban and Cape Town, have a minor injury crisis on hand.

Lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will miss the opening round with a knee injury, while fellow second row forward Waltie Vermeulen is struggling with a shoulder injury.

Drotské may have to start the season with Francois Uys and Izak van der Westhuizen as his lock combination.

The Cheetahs coach remains optimistic that he will be able to retain the services of Springbok Heinrich Brussow, who has been bombarded with offers from Cape Town - despite denials that there is a formal offer on the table.

Well-placed sources have confirmed the Cape Town officials are working behind the scenes to lure Brussow away from Bloemfontein, as a replacement for Francois Louw - who is heading to Bath in England.