Rugby
Cheetahs make changes for Welkom trip─── MORGAN PIEK 11:30 Fri, 17 Mar 2023
The Toyota Cheetahs have made a few rotational changes to their team that will tackle the Griffons on Sunday in the Currie Cup Competition.
The Cheetahs made a couple of changes in order to give the majority of his team some time on the field before they head back to Europe.
In the backline, Evardi Boshoff starts ahead of Robert Ebersohn, who moves to the bench. This is the only change to the team’s backline.
Upfront, Andisa Ntsila starts at 8th-man, while Mzwanele Zito gets a chance at lock. Jeandré Rudolph drops out of the squad, while Rynier Bernardo will play off the bench, but he is expected to get at least 40 minutes on the field.
Beertjie van Vuuren starts at tighthead prop, while Marko Janse van Rensburg starts at hooker.
The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, said it’s important to give players game-time ahead of facing Toulon in France in the European Challenge Cup.
“We decided that the three hookers, who are in contention to go to Toulon, should get enough game time before we go there.
“Marko will get a start, while Marnus van der Merwe was in the starting line-up last week.
“We decided to keep Chucky on the bench - I like to play him off the bench because he has a good work rate and is a very mobile player.
“That's the reason why we selected them in that way.”
Last week the Cheetahs kicked off their Currie Cup campaign on a high note with a 42-19 win over the Griquas in Kimberley.
Sunday’s Free State derby in Welkom kicks off at 14:00.
Griffons - 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Duran Hoffman, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Marquit Septemeber, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Jaywinn Juries (captain), 8 Sokhuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Jean Pretorius, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Michael Bernadie, 4 Jaco Willemse, 3 Doctor Booyen, 2 Dandre Delport, 1 Stephan de Jager
Replacements - 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Wikus Niewenhuis, 20 Thato Mavundla, 21 Richman Gora, 22 Robbie Petzer, 23 Keanu Vers
Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Beertjie van Vuuren, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Cohen Jasper.
