Rugby
Hendricks and Rhule start against the Lions─── 12:37 Wed, 20 May 2015
Springbok wingers Cornal Hendricks and Raymond Rhule run out for the Toyota Cheetahs this weekend when they take on the Lions in Bloemfontein in the Super Rugby.
Hendricks, who has been in great form this season returns after recovering from tonsillitis, while Rhule gets a start after playing of the bench during the sides 45-24 drubbing at the hands of the Highlanders.
Furthermore, flanker Tienie Burger hasn’t recovered sufficiently from concussion and gets replaced by Carel Greeff from the Griquas.
This sees the impressive and versatile Henco Venter of the Shimlas being named on the bench.
Venter, is equally comfortable at flank or lock and will give the side added options at lineout time.
Outgoing Cheetahs coach, Naka Drotské who will guide the team at home for the last this weekend said he is delighted to have the two speedsters back
“Cornal is having a great season and is a real threat for us on the attack so it’s great to have him back.
“Raymond has been training really well the last two or three weeks, Saturday’s incident was a bit unfortunate, but he did apologise.
“I think he was bit over eager after sitting on the bench, but we’re happy to have the two of them back,” said Drotské while also making reference to Rhule yellow card.
The side are further boosted with the return of captain Francois Uys who was withdrawn from the side minutes before kick-off against the Highlanders due to a bug.
Rayno Benjamin who scored for the Cheetahs last week will make his 50th Super Rugby appearance for the side when he comes of the bench.
The last time the two sides faced each other, the Lions beat the Cheetahs 34-29 in Johannesburg.
The two have played each other in 12 matches with the scales tipping in the Lions favour with 7 wins and 5 losses.
Interestingly the Cheetahs lead the average score department 29-24.
Saturday’s match at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 17:05.
Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Boom Prinsloo, 6 Carel Greeff, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 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 Henco Venter, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Coenie van Wyk, 23 Rayno Benjamin.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
