Rugby
Meyer and Brummer start against Highlanders─── 13:06 Wed, 13 May 2015
The Toyota Cheetahs will see a new half-back pairing take to the field on Saturday when the side runs out against the Highlanders in Bloemfontein.
The Griquas duo of Tian Meyer and Francois Brummer will start at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, with both Sarel Pretorius and Joe Pietersen missing out due to shoulder injuries.
The pair from the Peacock Blues will have the daunting task of containing the deadly combination of possibly Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga and will have to be on the money against the two trusty servants of Highlanders rugby.
Incumbent Cheetahs coach, Naka Drotské believes that the pair who are not regular starters at Super Rugby level are good enough to take on the fifth placed South Islanders.
“They are both experienced players, you know Francois Brummer has been in our squad for the last three-four years. It’s time for him and an opportunity for him to show that he can play at this level. He certainly has all the talent to do that,” said Drotské.
“Tian Meyer has played really well every time has come onto the field and even in the game when he started for us overseas. It’s the same with Shuan Venter and Coenie van Wyk coming onto the bench. Both played really good rugby at Vodacom Cup level,” he added.
Along with Danie Mienie returning to start at loosehead prop, there are no other changes to the starting XV which beat the second placed Stormers 25-17 nearly a fortnight ago at the Free State Stadium.
The Highlanders indicated that they are looking for an improved scrum and the return of Mienie is a welcome boost to the side, although Coenie Oosthuizen will certainly be missed against the powerful Kiwis.
The lineouts are perhaps that one aspect of the game where the Cheetahs have really excelled at during their indifferent campaign and will be looking to the target the Highlanders in the setpiece.
Captain Francois Uys who has been exceptional with his calling and jumping this season told OFM Sport that he is happy with the way is been working for them.
“Our lineouts have been really good. It’s something we worked on quite hard during the off-season and it shows during the games.
“It’s probably our best attacking platform so we’re extremely happy with it,” said Uys.
Following their good performance during the Stormers game, Michael van der Spuy and Francois Venter once again link-up to patrol the midfield and with players such as Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman and Patrick Osborne running hard at them, their defence will have to be on the ball. Drotské said that during their win over the side from the Cape the pair proved that they are solid in defence.
“I’m really happy with their combination and they played really well against the Stormers. I think they will be up for it, every time you face a New Zealand side it is a challenge with their big physical backs, but I’ve got a lot of confidence that the two will bring it to the table,” said Drotské.
Raymond Rhule returns from a long injury, but will have to warm-up the bench for the match after the team decided to reward Rayno Benjamin, Sergeal Petersen and Clayton Blommetjies for their solid games against the Stormers.
Saturday evening’s match at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 19:10.
Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Boom Prinsloo, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements – 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Carel Greef, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Coenie van Wyk, 23 Raymond Rhule.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
