The Griffons opened their campaign with a win against the Leopards last week, while the Free State XV had a first-round bye.

The Free State will see Niell Jordaan make his long-awaited return after sustaining an injury against Munster during the second round of the Guinness Pro14.

The Springbok scrumhalf, Rudy Paige, could be on debut for the Free State, but he could also be joining the Pro14 team in Port Elizabeth.

The Free State coach, Daan Human, told OFM Sport that he has a lot of experience in his squad, but his players do lack game time.

“I hear you when you say that there is a lot of experience, but it is experience that hasn’t been playing for the last couple of weeks or even months.

“These include Niell (Jordaan), Tertius (Kruger) and Ernst Stapelberg.

“A lot of guys haven’t been playing, but I do think that we are in a very privileged position where a lot of them have played at Currie Cup level before.”

While the side for the Saturday’s game has not been announced yet, Jordaan will captain the side.

Saturday’s game between the Griffons and Free State in Welkom kicks off at 15:30.

Toyota Free State XV squad - Alex Jonker, Ali Mgijima, Armand Grobler, Benhard Janse van Resnburg, Boan Venter, Brendon Fortuin, Carel du Preez, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Daniel Maartens, Darren Adonis, Dimitri Tieties, Dennis Visser, Dian Badenhorst, Erich de Jager, Ernst Stapelberg, Fifi Rampeta, Francois Agenbag, Gerhard Olivier, Gideo Beukes, Gunter Janse van Vuuren, Jaco Wilkinson, Jasper Wiese, Joseph Dweba, JP Coetzee, JP du Preez, Junior Pokomela, Luan de Bruin, Lloyd Greeff, Louis Conradie, Lourens Steenkamp, Marc Marrison, Marnus van der Merwe, Nicolus van Eeden, Niell Jordaan, Niell Stannard, Ntokozo Vidima, Quintin Vorster, Quintin Vorster, Reinach Venter, Ruben de Haas, Rudy Paige, Ryno Eksteen, Sibabalo Qoma, Stephan Malan, Stephan van Schalkwyk, Tertius Kruger, Vuyani Maqina, Zwivhuya Malaudzi.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport