The Toyota Cheetahs have made two changes and two positional switches for their Currie Cup game against the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday. The exciting outside back Litha Nkula returns from an injury and will slot in on the left wing. 

Daniel Kasende moves from the left to the right wing and Michael Annies will make way in the squad. In the pack, Aranos Coetzee returns from injury and Hencus van Wyk, while on the bench, Pierre Uys comes in to replace Oupa Mohoje who has been ill this week.

It is pretty unusual for props to be able to play on both sides of the scrum as loosehead and tighthead are both such specialist positions. Van Wyk, who can play on both sides, but normally dons the number three jersey told OFM Sport he looks forward to the challenge.

“What an opportunity to go and play on the loosehead this weekend,” said Van Wyk.

“I’ve always been a prop that can play both tighthead and loosehead, so I’m not that concerned. Yes, I haven’t played there in a while. But, everywhere I’ve played I was signed as a tighthead who can play loosehead as well.

“So, I’m looking forward to playing on the loosehead. It’s going to be a ‘lekker’ one and it’s going to be an important one as well, so I hope I do well.”

Nkula in turn told OFM Sport that he recovered quicker than initially thought and he is just raring to go.

‘It’s really a vital game for both sides’

“I was supposed to stay out for a couple of more weeks, but then fortunately, I recovered earlier and it’s a good thing and just to be back within the team and looking forward to just kick-on from where I left off,” said the fleet-footed Nkula.

“Hopefully I can just help the team and contribute as much as I can going into this important game. It’s really a vital game for both sides and I’m just looking forward to it.

“I hope it’s not going to be bad on the lungs as I obviously just got back, but I’m up for it.”

Saturday’s crunch match against the Sharks at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:15.

Cheetahs – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Corné Fourie, 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Pierre Uys, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 23 Reinhardt Fortuin

Sharks – 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Lionel Cronjé, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Dian Bleuler

Replacements – 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Hennie Sieberhagen, 21 Siya Ningiza, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  mvh