Waratahs big boys returning but Michael Cheika set to hold back star recruit Jacques Potgieter

THE Waratahs will welcome back Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper this week.

Waratahs recruit Jacques Potgieter is airborne before making a tackle during his stint at the Bulls.

THE Waratahs will welcome back Wallaby big guns Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper this week but star Springbok recruit Jacques Potgieter may be given another week off to freshen up.

Potgieter flew into Sydney last week from Japan, where he has been playing over summer, and joined the NSW squad in Albury for their opening trial.

The abrasive ex-Bulls lock hasn't stopped playing since the start of Super Rugby a year ago but has been so enthusiastic about playing for the Tahs he sent Cheika regular email updates from Japan.

The coach is mindful of Potgieter's recent workload, however, and is uncertain about whether to pick him this week.

"I don't know if I will play Potgieter yet. I will just make sure he has fully recovered for his stint over there, he has been playing footy the whole time so … he had a little calf injury at one stage," Cheika said.

"I will just see how I feel about whether I play him or not. I thought our locks did okay too, I want to give them a bit more time."

Though a backrower at the Bulls - and in his three Tests for South Africa - Cheika recruited Potgieter as a lock.

With Will Skelton emerging as a real talent, Manly second-rower Greg Petersen was issued with a direct challenge by Cheika.

"A young guy like (Greg) Petersen, this is his opportunity. If he doesn't show up now, he is going to get squeezed out," he said.

"So I need to give them a chance too, especially some of those big guys in the tight five."

Cheika said the whole squad, potentially minus Cam Crawford and Jed Holloway, were fit to play.

"Everyone is okay, Folau, Hooper and Ashley-Cooper will come back into the fold," he said.