The Cheetahs received a timely boost in midfield with the inclusion of Springbok Andries Strauss for their Super Rugby match against the Rebels in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.

Strauss is back in contention after he served a two-week suspension for a tip-tackle on Lions lock Wikus van Heerden in the first match of the season.

His inclusion sees Philip Snyman moving out of the match-day 22 altogether.

Drotské said Strauss would make a welcome return as he would add extra firing power on attack and defence.

"He looked very good against the Lions and it is great to have him back as he is also one of our leaders," said Drotské.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has shuffled his loose trio combination for the fourth time in as many games.

Philip van der Walt will move from the side of the scrum to eighthman, with Ashley Johnson shifting to the bench.

Davon Raubenheimer will receive a starting berth at openside flank.

The coach said he followed a horses-for-courses approach with his selection of a different loose trio for this weekend.

"We have a lot of depth in the group and we felt that it was the best combination for us at this stage."

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Justin Downey, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Rayno Benjamin.

Date: Sunday, March 18
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 16.10 (05.10 GMT)
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)