Rugby
Smith to name FS Cheetahs team today─── 09:15 Wed, 05 Aug 2015
Franco Smith will name is first Currie Cup side today when he announces the team that will be facing the Blue Bulls on Saturday.
The team has been hard at work during the past 6 weeks in preseason in an effort to get fitter, sharper and more physical.
Smith and he coaching staff have been holding their cards close to their chests over the past few weeks, given little indication of his plans.
New hooker, Neil Rautenbach looks set to make his Free State debut, while the Boela Serfontein could partner up with captain Francois Uys in the second row.
Shaun Venter and Fred Zeilinga could be the halfback combination, while Francois Venter and Rayno Benjamin will patrol the midfield.
Gerhard Olivier who excelled during the Varsity Cup will in all likeliness form the back-row with Boom Prinsloo and Henco Venter.
Uys told OFM Sport that young players like Oliver excite both himself and Smith.
“We’re heading into a new phase of Cheetah rugby. It’s interesting to see especially since Franco came on board he’s not afraid to give younger guys an opportunity.
“I think a guy like Gerhard Olivier - he’s a really young eighth-man and probably one of the fittest guys I’ve seen around.
“He has a lot of energy, as do all young guys, so it’s going to be interesting to see how he goes.
“Then of course it’s always great to have guys like Swys (Francois) Venter and Rayno Benjamin in the midfield just to give you that assurance. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty and they are two centres that work exceptionally hard.
“The whole team is just excited to get out there and see how the preseason has gone.
The expected starting XV - 15 Sias Ebersohn, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Rayno Benjamin, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Gerhard Oliver, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Boela Serfontein, 3 Luan de Bruyn, 2 Neil Rautenbach 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Saturday's big match at the Free State Stadium kicks-off at 14:15.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
FS Cheetahs captain, Francois Uys speaks of the possible team selection:
