The Cheetahs have been given a boost with the news that injured Springboks Coenie Oosthuizen and Johan Goosen will be available to play in their opening Super Rugby match.

Naka Drotske's Cheetahs start their Super Rugby campaign this season with a match against the Sharks at home in Bloemfontein on February the 23rd.

Afrikaans newspaper Volksblad have reported that the Bok duo should be fit to play in the opening match of the season.

Prop Oosthuizen has been struggling with a back injury while flyhalf Goosen has been sidelined with a knee injury from last year.

In a further boost for the Cheetahs there are a number of other injured player such as fullback Willie le Roux (groin), flank Lappies Labuschagné (ankle) and No 8 Philip van der Walt (knee) should also be ready for the opening clash while flank Heinrich Brüssow (shoulder) has an outside chance of playing.

The Cheetahs have two warm up matches scheduled with the first being against the Lions on January the 26th and then the Bulls on February the 9th.

Coach Drotske said that Oosthuizen and Goosen are both likely to make their comebacks from injury in the second pre-season match which is against the Bulls.

"Johan (Goosen) was sick this week and didn't train, but has kicked for posts and his knee is looking good."

"He may play in the practice game against the Bulls."