Rugby
Eight Springboks run out against the Sharks─── 13:13 Wed, 02 Jul 2014
Morgan Piek
Bloemfontein - The Toyota Cheetahs has named their side to take on the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The side sees the return of numerous of their injured players (pre-international break), as well as no less than seven Springboks who featured in the side 55-6 drubbing of Scotland on Saturday.
It also sees an eighth Springbok in the mixed, with Johan Goosen being declared fit to run out at flyhalf against Jake Whites’ chargers.
An interesting move sees the former Pumas hooker, Torsten van Jaarsveld slot in at flank in the place of the injured Heinrich Brüssow.
Though Van Jaarsveld is no stranger to playing on the side of the scrum, his inclusion in the starting XV sees no cover at hooker on the bench. Coach, Naka Drotské, said he will take over the hooking duties in the event of captain Adriaan Strauss picking up an injury.
Sarel Pretorius returns as scrumhalf as well and should add some spice to the backline. Speedster Raymond Rhule is another welcome addition to the backs and along with Springboks, Cornal Hendricks and Willie le Roux will add some venom in the speed department for the back three.
Drotské shares the notion that the pressure will be on the Sharks, who want to secure a home semi-final and possible final by topping the standings.
“I think all the pressure will be on the Sharks, if they want a home semi, they need to will the next two games. But it’s a South African derby, and anything can happen”, said Drotské.
With none of the Griquas available for the next two games, the Cheetahs will be banking on the experience their Springboks gained during the international break. Lock Lood de Jager, who scored two tries against Scotland, said they will do the talking on the field.
“I learnt a lot from Victor and Bakkies and those guys, but we can’t really say what will happen on Saturday, but afterward we’ll see in the experience at the camp helped”, said De Jager.
Saturday's Super Rugby clash at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein kicks off at 19:10.
Cheetahs - 15 Willie le Roux (vice-captain), 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements – 16 Caylib Oosthuizen, 17 Luan de Bruin, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Jean Cook, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Hennie Danillier.
