Springbok centre Jean de Villiers will make his first Currie Cup appearance for nearly two years when he turns out for Western Province against the Leopards at Newlands on Saturday.

De Villiers is one of three Boks who played in last week's Tri-Nations match against Australia back in WP colours this weekend. Wing Gio Aplon and centre Juan de Jongh also make welcome returns to the provincial side.

After a 12-month stint with club side Munster, De Villiers opted to return to SA earlier this year after a disappointing stay in Ireland, where he failed to find his best form.

But in the last weeks of the Tri-Nations, the former Stormers skipper displayed the touches that made him arguably the world's best inside centre in 2008 and 2009.

Despite a long association with WP prior to the Munster move, De Villiers has played only 37 Currie Cup matches in the famous blue and white hoops since making his first class debut in 2001.

WP have lost their past three matches after starting the Currie Cup with six consecutive wins.

"WP will always be part of who I am and it's been great to see them doing so well while I've been away," De Villiers said.

"Yes, they've had three bad games, but if you see the talent and the players coming through, come play-off time we'll be in the reckoning.

"It's great to be part of it and to be able to add a little bit of my experience to the team."

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has included Tri-Nations Springboks Chiliboy Ralepelle and Francois Hougaard in the starting line-up to face the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Although Ralepelle is a contracted Bok, he's not part of the group that have been sent on a conditioning programme and is therefore eligible to play for his province.

After last week's much-needed win over the table-topping Sharks, the Bulls have to consolidate that victory against a Cheetahs side still buoyed by their away win over Griquas last week.

Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom is in deadly form with the boot, having slotted his last 24 kicks at goal.

Similar kicking feats this weekend will ensure that Free State have a good chance of beating the defending champions.

Sharks players' ears will still be ringing from coach John Plumtree's tongue-lashing after last week's second-half capitulation to the Bulls.

Plumtree warned that there would be no place for complacency in his squad after the Sharks surrendered a 24-13 half-time lead on their way to a 40-34 loss at Loftus.

The Durban side travel to Witbank to face the Pumas, who stunned the Bulls with a narrow victory two weeks ago. Complacency is the last thing the Sharks need at this stage.

The Lions, looking for their fourth consecutive win after claiming a superb come-from-behind win against WP last week, host Griquas in a game that both sides desperately need to win.

Griquas have not been the same since WP gave them a 50-point thrashing at home in August and after five losses in the 2010 campaign they cannot afford another defeat if they hope to make the semi-finals.

The Lions, only three points behind the Bulls and Cheetahs, know that one of those teams will drop points, so victory at Ellis Park is non-negotiable in their quest for a play-off berth.

DON'T MISS IT

Springbok Victor Matfield is the subject of a one-hour special TV programme tonight on Supersport1 at 9.30pm after Boots & All.

The Springbok lock, who won his 100th Test cap two weeks ago on his home ground, Loftus, will reflect on his career as one of the finest rugby forwards of all time.